Is Sri Lanka Facing a "Brain Drain”?
Is Sri Lanka Facing a "Brain
Drain”?
What is a
Brain Drain?
The highly skilled individuals of an economy are emigrating from a country
looking for better jobs prospects, hindering the development of the own
country.
“Sri Lanka has yet to reach its
full potential in the new knowledge-service based economy. To do that, we must
continue to recognise the importance of building upon existing industries that
offer potential for future economic growth.” [Online] Available @ http://www.ft.lk/article/591082/Labour-shortage-in-key-sectors-will-hold-Sri-Lanka-back 13th January 2017.
Few of the reasons I have identified why Sri Lanka is facing brain drain
as below:
1. Infrastructure - Sri Lanka's
infrastructure development is yet to be advanced, and many constructions and
advance technological developments are yet to come to economy. Though many constructions are taking place the
projects are being given to China, India, Japan, etc to implement the projects,
as a result the skilled labour force is also being taken from the respective
countries, as there is a shortage for skilled labour in Sri Lanka.
“Many jobs remain vacant for weeks
resulting in construction project delays and what’s significant is that despite
today’s high unemployment rate, skilled workers are in high demand in the
construction staffing market where construction companies are struggling to
find workers at all levels to properly staff their teams.” [Online] Available @
2.
Education – While Sri Lanka is marking its 93.3%
literacy rate over the country and marking a steady growth of the education
industry as per the Central Bank Report 2015, still Sri Lankans preferring to
take their admissions in the education provided in the Europe and other
developed countries. The reason for this choice of education in Sri Lankan mind
set maybe opted because of the education structure in the those countries and
the facility, faculty, and validity. Once the student pursues education in
those developed countries the systems are in place in those countries to
capture their intelligence and experience of those educated individuals and
make use of them in their country’s wellbeing while meeting those individual
needs and wants.
Another plus point of aboard education for Sri Lankans is, ‘Discounted
Fee’ and ‘Scholarships’ for education institute entrance. Considering the fact
Sri Lanka is a developing country, most of the developed countries offer their
services including education at a price which is affordable for the students.
Sri Lankans make use of the opportunity and pursue their education which result
a drain of educated brain in Sri Lanka.
3.
Culture – I can see two
types of cultural issues. Firstly, is the mind-set of Sri Lankans. In most of
the parts in Sri Lanka, people have a mind-set that living in aboard gives the
luxury of a standardized life regardless of the job of an individual. We also
can see a trend of women workforce is immigrating as housemaids, babysitters,
cleaners and other related jobs.
And there are another set of parents
who spend their hard earned savings to send their children to developed
countries for higher education opportunities with the aim of providing them a
better life style
Secondly, the income, acceptance and the respect gained as an employee. The
general household expenditure for 2016 was 40,186 nominal value and 27,971 in
real term as per the Department of Census and Statistics, Sri Lanka. These
figures indicate that labour workforce income is not sufficient for their day
to day expenses. Considering this as one of the main reason Sri Lankan
workforce tend to immigrate for better job opportunities and the income,
acceptance and the respect those immigrants gain as an employee in those
countries and it excel their standard of living.
4. The Influence of Green
Card / PR – The developed countries are in need of skilled workforce who will
elevate their further development and the standard of the country. Considering
this factor, developed nations are following a policy to issue Permanent
Residencies, Skill Migrant Visas, Green Card Facilities for potential skilled
immigrants. This policy is backed by Sri Lankan local agencies and Visa
Consultants who heavily promote the immigration of the skilled workforce. The
process has been made easier for the public by introducing the online platform
for visa processing.
This rapid increase
of brain drain will effect negatively in the public and private sectors in Sri
Lanka in the long run. The Government of Sri Lanka should take immediate but
steady actions to develop the infrastructure, education system, professional training,
better living standards, fair remuneration structures in order to reduce the
brain drain in the country.
The highly skilled individuals of an economy are emigrating from a country looking for better jobs prospects, hindering the development of the own country.
“Sri Lanka has yet to reach its
full potential in the new knowledge-service based economy. To do that, we must
continue to recognise the importance of building upon existing industries that
offer potential for future economic growth.” [Online] Available @ http://www.ft.lk/article/591082/Labour-shortage-in-key-sectors-will-hold-Sri-Lanka-back 13th January 2017.
By
Anfas Anees
Anfas Anees
