Construction Firms Seek Approval to Recruit 7,500 Foreign Workers Amid Labour Shortage

Sri Lanka’s construction sector is facing a severe labour shortage, prompting leading construction companies to seek approval to recruit approximately 7,500 workers from foreign countries, according to Secretary to the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Water Supply, Kumudu Lal Bogahawatta.

Speaking at a media briefing yesterday, Bogahawatta said a recent survey revealed that the construction industry is currently facing around 10,000 unfilled vacancies, creating serious challenges for ongoing and upcoming projects.

He said construction firms have requested permission to bring in workers primarily from India, Bangladesh and Nepal, adding that a limited number of foreign workers have already arrived in the country.

Bogahawatta noted that the Ministry does not intend to block the process through strict regulations. Instead, parallel measures are being implemented to strengthen the local workforce, particularly by training Sri Lankan youth to meet industry demands and eventually outperform foreign labourers.

He said the Construction Industry Development Authority (CIDA) has initiated programmes to professionalise the local construction workforce by providing technical training and NVQ certification, enabling Sri Lankan workers not only to fill domestic vacancies but also to access overseas employment opportunities as skilled labourers.

In addition, the Ministry is planning to improve job safety, income stability and long-term career prospects within the construction sector to attract more young people.

Bogahawatta also revealed that Sri Lanka will require nearly 20,000 construction workers by 2026, highlighting the urgency of addressing the labour shortage through both local capacity building and temporary foreign recruitment.