50,000 cleared for jobs in West Asia but blocked by COVID rules By Chrishanthi Christopher View(s): View(s):Around 50,000 people with clearance to work in West Asia are unable to take up their jobs because of COVID travel restrictions in Sri Lanka. The number of women taking up jobs in the West Asia has declined in the past decade, he added: of the 50,000 waiting to go, only 15,000 are women. There are some 50,000 workers who have completed their contracts and are due back home. The backlog of migrant workers waiting to come home has eased as the airports are open and flights operating. “They can book and come any time and there is no waiting time,” Mr. Randeniya said.

Source: Sunday Times June 27, 2021 00:33 UTC