A survey conducted by the Institute for Health Policy (IHP) through the Sri Lanka Opinion Tracker Survey (SLOTS) in November 2021 found increased interest among the youth and the affluent to seek greener pastures abroad.
This corroborates with the recent claim by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa that there is a surge in Sri Lankans, especially the youth, trying to migrate. Pessimism of economic prospects, Government policies and Covid control measures were some of the reasons cited.
The survey found that about one in four Sri Lankans would like to migrate if they had the chance while around one in two of the youth and educated want to leave the country. It adds that “from a national perspective, the increased pressure to emigrate by the youth and the most educated and affluent in society bodes badly for the country’s future economic and social prospects as global travel restrictions are lifted.”
Professional opinions
As more youth seem to show interest in migrating now compared to the past five years, the Sunday Observer asked some professionals in the legal and banking fields who lead several professional organisations in the country, their views on migration and factors that educated youth should consider before taking the decision.
Mahesha Amarasuriya, Assistant General Manager, Card Services and Member Corporate Management of Cargills Bank and Past Chairperson of CIMA Sri Lanka Country Network Panel, spoke against migration, stating that the ‘brain drain’ would have negative impacts on the country’s future in the long run.
“Sri Lanka has faced a loss of talent over the past several decades. Even though, there was a decline in the outward migration with the pandemic, it rose to 120,000 persons in 2021,” she said.
She added that the highest demand jobs in most countries are IT-centric. “There is a global demand for Human Resource Management and financial professionals as well. CIMA being an internationally-recognised qualification, places CIMA professionals in a favourable position to secure employment abroad,” she said.
Lower positions
Rajeev Amarasuriya, Attorney-at-Law and Secretary of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), who is also the President of the Alumni Association of the University of Colombo, had similar views.
“In recent times, migration appears to have now spread even to other professions with those seeking greener pastures willing to accept appointments which are sometimes even less commensurate with their qualifications and expertise.
I see lawyers who don’t have the conversion as easy as the accountants also looking at opportunities outside the country.
And this is something very troubling,” he said. He added that it impacts negatively on the workplace and economy.
“It is very competitive overseas and the best of those who seek greener pastures are successful. This means that we are losing top professionals,” he said.
He added that while it is vital to reduce the brain drain, it is important to also focus on encouraging the return of professionals who have migrated, and not wait till many of them decide to make Sri Lanka a place for retirement.
“But this is easier said than done,” Rajeev added, “and to-date, no Government has been even remotely successful in doing so,” he said.
Unavoidable circumstances
Mahesha agreed that migration at some level is unavoidable, as Sri Lanka is a developing country. The Sri Lankan economy is unable to provide the income and lifestyle available in developed economies, she said.
Rajeev acknowledged that there is nothing wrong in placing first the interest of one’s self and family. “Those who are migrating are not only looking for better opportunities, many have actually lost hope,” he added. However, Rajeev had not lost hope and still believes there is potential here.
“I have had many opportunities to migrate but I have not taken up those as I still believe in my country and its potential,” he said, adding that some factors to consider are the present position of oneself, the potential for growth, and the support system in the home country. “Migration anywhere is not completely rosy,” he cautioned.
He said that in many developed countries, as much as earnings are high, living and other costs are equally high and many who migrate realise so only after they have landed there. Also, many countries have hire and fire policies unlike the security of employment as we have here. In Sri Lanka, we also have free education, free healthcare and other such benefits, but in many countries one has to pay for all this, Rajeev said.
Giving back
Mahesha sees the responsibility of giving back to the country after benefiting from free education. “I studied at a Government school, obtained my first degree and Masters from local universities. Therefore, I owe it to my country and the society to stay in Sri Lanka and contribute to our economy,” she reiterated.
Another complaint of those seeking to migrate is the frustration they face over the lack of utilisation of their potential or skills in a Sri Lankan workplace. Rajeev agreed that for some, this would be a fact. “But we can’t have all good men and women leaving this country. I am an eternal optimist and I know that there is light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.
He added: “Ask yourself whether there is anything Sri Lanka is lacking. This pearl of the Indian Ocean is abundantly blessed with natural resources, beautiful attractions, and a rich culture and heritage. We have foreigners travelling thousands of miles to spend their honeymoon or once-in-a-lifetime holiday in Sri Lanka, yet we complain and seek greener pastures,” Rajeev said.
He added that the leaders and society together should change the trajectory of Sri Lanka so that other nationals would seek to migrate here.
However, he agreed that at present, things are looking bleak, and in the short term, professionals do not see a future for them here given the country being subjected to economic austerity.
“But our predicament is not an infinite one,” he said, and urged professionals to have patience and continue to up skill. “We now have potential for a developed financial centre at the Port City, even though expecting investors at present would be difficult. When there is adequate change in sentiment, this too will bring many opportunities and Sri Lanka would be one of the best places in the world for a professional to live and work in.”
Worker-friendly
Mahesha also gave her views on how the Sri Lankan work culture should change to create a better environment for professionals for their retention. She highlighted the importance of consistency in Government policy and implementation.
“The education system should align with the future plans of the country. It is important to make a 5-year, 10-year, and 15-year plan for the country and have that macro plan unchanged irrespective of any changes in Government or relevant officers.”
“Such a plan should work to identify the skills required and thereby, align with the curriculum.
This will primarily bridge the demand and supply gap in Sri Lanka and direct youth towards educating themselves in areas that are required. Increased gender equality, reduced gender stereotyping along with better work ethics will help to retain talent,” she said.
Mahesha also highlighted the importance of providing a worker-friendly environment to increase overall productivity and the need to encourage female participation in the workforce. “Female participation in the workforce in Sri Lanka at present is about 30 percent while it is over 70 percent in some Western countries. Flexi hours and remote work need to become a part of the work policy and not just a Covid remedy. Also, extended maternity leave, and daycare centres within organisations are some ways to encourage female retention in the workforce and support female leadership at all levels,” she said.
Employees were particularly disheartened during the Covid-19 pandemic when a majority of companies failed to protect their employees, incurring salary cuts, and termination of contracts. Rajeev pointed out that the inability to protect employees is mainly due to bad planning.
“Many companies had no choice. But a company, which is well positioned, should have adequate reserves to be able to sustain staff for a certain period even if there was no revenue generation,” he said.
Drawing on his own experience, he said the BASL had financial difficulties as many of the revenue streams dried up during the pandemic, “but we converted the challenge of the pandemic into an opportunity by doing things differently and digitally and in both years of the pandemic.
Not only did we grant salary increments to the BASL staff, but also annual bonuses in both years,” he said.
As the country readies for stringent measures by the Government to overcome the current economic crisis, the duty of all, especially professionals, is to contribute their fullest to the speedy economic recovery.
Sri Lanka, apart from its natural beauty and ancient heritage, has also inherited an abundant human resource that other countries can only dream of. Therefore, the time has come to put our heads together and come up with innovative solutions without abandoning mother Lanka when she most needs you.