Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment Partners with Sri Lanka Life Savings to Promote Certified Lifeguard Programs for Domestic and International Markets
The Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment, Manusha Nanayakkara, met today with representatives from the Sri Lanka Life Savings (SLLS), the National Body for Life Saving and Water Safety, affiliated with the Ministry of Youth and Sports. The meeting aimed to discuss new proposals for offering a nationwide certification program for pool and coastal lifeguards, targeting domestic requirements and the burgeoning international demand for such professionals.
- Alignment with Project Dignity of Labour
During the meeting, Minister Manusha Nanayakkara outlined the tenets of Project Dignity of Labour. This project, spearheaded by the Department of Manpower and Employment under his ministry, focuses on creating Sector Human Resources Councils that regulate national occupational standards for various sectors. The minister emphasized the synergies between this project and the certification programs planned by the SLLS.
He invited SLLS to actively participate in the forthcoming public consultations to shape these sectoral standards.
- Memorandum of Understanding
Further adding weight to this collaborative effort, Minister Nanayakkara announced that an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) will be facilitated between SLLS and the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment. The MOU aims to promote qualified lifesavers in international job markets by providing skill verification and establishing equalization programs with respective countries.
“This collaboration is a landmark step in not only elevating the standards of life-saving professionals in Sri Lanka but also in opening up new avenues for our skilled workforce in the international market,” stated Minister Manusha Nanayakkara.
- Future Implications
This initiative has the potential to significantly raise the standards of lifeguard services in Sri Lanka, ensuring both local and international safety benchmarks are met. Through these programs, Sri Lanka aims to become a leading provider of highly skilled and certified lifeguards, meeting global demand and contributing to the well-being of people worldwide.