News
Lankans share third rank with Italians in Romania’s foreign workforce surge
Sri Lankans have become a significant part of Romania’s workforce, contributing to the growing trend of foreign workers in the country, said a report by the Schenegan News yesterday.It said that by the end of last year, over 211,000 foreign workers were registered in Romania, with a notable influx from South Asia, particularly Nepal, which accounts for nine percent. Italians and Sri Lankans follow closely, each representing seven percent of the total foreign workforce.
Romania plans to admit up to 100,000 new foreign workers during this year.
“A significant influx of foreign citizens are staying and working in Romania, with a notable concentration from the Asian continent, particularly South Asia.
“According to a recent report from the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI), most foreign workers are now sourced from countries outside Europe, with Nepal emerging as the leading nation of origin.
“As of the end of 2023, Nepal accounted for nine per cent of the over 211,000 foreign workers registered in Romania. Following closely are Turkish nationals, who comprise eight per cent of the foreign workforce.
“These data also showed that most foreigners settled in Romanian cities as follows: Bucharest over 15,000, Ilfov – over 7,800, Constanta – over 6,100, Timi? – over 4,200, Bra?ov – 3,907, Cluj – over 3,300, Sibiu – over 2,600, Arad – over 2,400 and Prahova – 2,100.
“While Romania presents numerous economic opportunities for migrant workers, a recent study has unveiled significant challenges they face.
“Migrant workers in Romania struggle with limited access to social and public services. Many experience difficulties navigating the public health system and other essential services, primarily due to a lack of information and language barriers that hinder effective communication with authorities.
“Despite these issues, the country authorities recently reported that the latter is being used as a destination where some foreigners who have already arrived legally in Romania for employment purposes on work visas are trying to cross the state border into the Schengen Zone irregularly.
“Some data revealed that the Accommodation Centre for Foreigners Taken in Public Custody in Arad registered 400 migrants during the first half of 2024.
“As of the end of 2023, approximately 74,400 foreigners held residence permits for employment purposes in Romania, marking an increase of over 44 per cent compared to the same period in 2022. The majority of these workers are between 18 and 60, with only 382 individuals over 60, a figure that remains consistent with 2022.
“In response to the growing demand for labour, the Romanian government has established a quota of no more than 100,000 newly admitted foreign workers for the labour market in 2024. This initiative aimed to balance economic growth with protecting migrant rights, though significant challenges remain.”
The Opposition yesterday called for the entire Cabinet-of-Ministers to accept responsibility for the coal scam. Addressing the media at the Flower Road Office of UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, former Foreign Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris emphasised that Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody’s resignation, in the wake of the damning report issued by the National Audit Office (NAO), has now implicated the entire Cabinet-of-Ministers.
Prof. Peiris asserted that Jayakody, who had been indicted in the Colombo High Court over alleged corruption, during the Yahapalana administration, stepped down after the NPP failed to suppress the truth on the coal scam.
The ex-Minister declared that Jayakody’s resignation, the first since the formation of new government, with a super majority in Parliament, was a devastating setback for the current dispensation.
The internationally recognised legal scholar said that a future government would move courts against the entire NPP Cabinet. Referring to the NAO report submitted to Parliament, Prof. Peiris emphasised that there was absolutely no ambiguity regards allegations directed at the Energy Ministry. The NAO report proved that the Indian company, Trident Champhar, that won the major contract, didn’t even have the required registration.
Prof. Peiris said that the coal scam was three times bigger than the Treasury bond scams, perpetrated during the Yahapalana time (SF)
The Colombo High Court yesterday ordered that the case, filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and his grand-aunt Daisy Forrest Wickramasinghe, be recalled on June 10.
The case was taken up before High Court Judge Rashmi Singappuli.
At the hearing, State Counsel informed the court that a related case, on similar charges, had been filed before High Court No. 08. The court was further informed that a revised indictment has been directed to be filed in that case, necessitating the submission of a revised indictment in the present case as well.
State Counsel requested time to report on the progress of those proceedings.
Accordingly, the judge ordered that the case be called on June 10 and directed that progress be reported on that date.
The case pertains to three indictments filed by the Attorney General alleging that between March 31, 2009, and December 12, 2013, the accused had committed an offence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act by depositing over Rs. 59 million in three private banks, the source of which could not be explained.
A three-judge bench of the Colombo Special High Court yesterday rejected a request by former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pujith Jayasundera to introduce additional facts to a statement he had previously made from the dock.
Jayasundera is an accused in the case filed over alleged criminal negligence in failing to prevent the 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attacks, despite prior intelligence warnings.
The order was delivered by the bench, presided over by Justice Priyantha Liyanage.
Meanwhile, retired Senior Deputy Inspector General (SDIG) Nandana Munasinghe and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in charge of the Eastern Province, Waruna Jayasundera, appeared before court as defence witnesses.
Opposition holds NPP Cabinet responsible for coal scam, three times bigger than bond fraud
Case against Yoshitha and Daisy Forrest postponed
Three-judge bench rejects request by ex-IGP Pujith
Johnston gets bail after four months
Thousands of pets affected by Avurudu firecrackers; over 10,000 cases of trauma reported
Inadequate LPG price hike compels the vulnerable to subsidize the wealthy: Advocata Institute
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