Responding to a query raised by UNP Ratnapura District MP Dunesh Gankanda, Minister Perera said that currently, it was not mandatory pass the NVQ level three when migrating to Middle Eastern countries, except in the case of Saudi Arabia where it was compulsory to pass.

The Minister said that all migrant workers would have to ensure that they pass the NVQ level three in order for them to eligible to work in a country in the Middle East.

Currently, Sri Lankan migrant workers are employed in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain, Oman, Lebanon, Israel and Iraq.

An estimated 350,000 Lankan workers are employed in Saudi Arabia, 250,000 in the UAE and 200,000 in Kuwait, the minister added.(Special Reporter/HC)