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Sri Lanka in talks with Italy to reinstate subordinate work visa: FM
View(s):By Damith Wickremasekera
The Government is in talks with Italian authorities to get the suspension of the subordinate work visa for Lankan nationals lifted.
The temporary suspension was put in place for Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka nationals last November and left many locals who had got job offers in Italy in limbo.
Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said a large number of Lankans are affected by the suspension and talks are underway to resolve this issue. He requested the Italian Government to reconsider the suspension when he met the Italian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Damiano Francovigh recently.
When the suspension was announced, all applications being processed were put on hold, and new applications from nationals of the three countries were not accepted for subordinate work visa until further notice from the relevant Italian authorities.
The subordinate (dependent) work visa allows entry and long stay in Italy for skilled migrants holding an employment contract and who are sponsored by an employer.
The Government is keen to secure a job quota system like the one Sri Lanka has with South Korea so that Lankans who wish to seek employment in Italy can do so through legal means, the minister said.
He said more than 200,000 Lankans are employed in Italy, and noted their contribution to the economy there.
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