🇯🇵 Cabinet Approves New Labour Mobility Agreement with Japan

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a new bilateral agreement with Japan, securing structured overseas employment for Sri Lankans under Japan's upcoming 'Employment for Skill Development' program. • Key Highlights: • Implementation: The program is scheduled to officially come into effect on April 1, 2027. • Objective: Designed to address Japan's severe labour shortages caused by an ageing demographic and a shrinking workforce. • Scope: The framework targets skilled and semi-skilled workers to support key sectors of the Japanese economy. • Worker Welfare: Focuses on a transparent, worker-centred model with improved protections, clearer career development pathways, and options to transition into Japan’s specific skilled worker program. • National Impact: This agreement enhances Sri Lanka's foreign employment and skills development landscape, building upon existing 2017 and 2019 technical intern training schemes to expand secure employment opportunities in the Japanese labour market.