There is no any specific definition to identify unskilled labour force in Sri Lanka. But according to the Labour force definition there are two types of categories could be identified as employed labour force and unemployed labour force. Therefore it can be assumed that two types of unskilled labour forces are there as unskilled employed labour force and unskilled unemployed labour force. According to the UN definition for unskilled employee (worker), “is an employee who does not use reasoning or intellectual abilities in their line of work. These workers are typically found in positions that involve manual labor such as packager, assembler, or apprentice, or farm worker. Unskilled jobs usually do not require formal education and can be performed by the majority of individuals. Due to the fact that their jobs do not require high levels of education or training, unskilled workers tend to earn lower than average salaries when compared to other workers. Jobs performed by unskilled workers are sometimes labeled “blue collar” jobs by mainstream society. Unskilled workers often work in environments where they are exposed to unsafe conditions on a regular basis”. Therefore unskilled employees could be found in the occupational category in “Elementary Occupation” that define in the International Standard of Classification of Occupations (ISCO 08).Therefore elementary occupations could be obtained through the Labour Force Survey conducted by Department of Census and Statistics by annually . Also unskilled unemployed labour force could be found using unemployed labour force who has not followed a vocational training. It could be obtained through the Labour Market Information Bulletin published by TVEC by annually. Therefore combination of both categories is considered as unskilled labour force in Sri Lanka. Accordingly characteristics of unskilled labour force are manipulated.

According to the Labour Force Survey data of 1^st quarter of year 2020, labour force is 8,503,617 and estimated unskilled Labour force is 2,129,672. Therefore percentage unskilled labour force out of total labour force of 1^st quarter of year 2020 is around 25%. Out of 25% unskilled labour force majority could be identified as Male (16.45%) and rest is female (8.59%). According to the age group of unskilled labour force 2.62% youth (age 15 – 24 yrs), 2.44% is in 25-29 yrs age group and 5.32% is in 30-39 yrs age group but majority (14.66%) could be 40+ yrs age group. Out of 25% of unskilled labourforce majority (22.17%) is represent the grade 10 or below educational level and rest (2.87%) is represent G.C.E O/L or above education level. Out of 25% unskilled labourforce highest percentage of unskilled labourforce is reported from Western province (6.4%) followed by Central province (4.52%) and lowest unskilled labourforce is reported from Northern Province. Also comparison with districts, highest percentage of unskilled labourforce is reported from Gampaha district (2.61%) followed by Nuwara Eliya district (2.32%) and lowest unskilled labourforce is reported from Mannar district (0.04%). See Annex-1 (Table 1, Table 2, Table 3 and Table 4) for more information statistics.

Acceding to the “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour” the President is targeting to reduce the unskilled labour force to 20% within the first two years (by 2022) and to bring it down to 10% by 2025. In order to achieve the 2022 target of reduce the unskilled labour force to 20%, 5% of existing unskilled labour force could be skilled and in order to achieve 2025 target, another 10% of unskilled labour force should be converted in to skilled labour force. Hence it should be identified prioritized economic sectors for next decade. According to the “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour” the President is targeting High tech integrated Agriculture based economy in next decade; it is expected to youth participation on new technological Agriculture farming such as Green house agriculture, Hydroponics agriculture and Aquaponics agriculture. Therefore considerable percentage out of 2.62% of youth (irrespective of gender) unskilled labour force and considerable percentage of unskilled labour force in age group 25-29(irrespective of gender) could be skilled in above mentioned agricultural framings with integrated new technology. This type of agricultural based skilled training could be carried out for the unskilled labour force in coastal districts and Anuradhpura, Polonnaruwa, Kurunegala and Puttalama districts etc. Also according to “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour” in chapter 5, it is expecting to develop technical training course with suitable NVQ level for make cinnamon extraction and preparation a respectable job. Therefore considerable percentage out of 5.32% unskilled labourforce in 30 to 40 yrs age group in Kandy, Mathale district and hill side in Matara, Galle districts could be skilled in above technical training for make cinnamon extraction and preparation. As per the chapter 5 of “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour” under the construction industry it is expected to address the issue of labour , The investment assistance required for them to move to technical solutions to address labour shortage will be provided. The government will also create facilities to train workers for the machinery to be increasingly used in the industry and the youth will be trained to take up jobs in technical grades and there will also be training of required technologists. Therefore considerable percentage of 2.87% unskilled labourforce in G.C.E. O/L or above category in Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara districts could be skilled into the machinery training to be used in the industry as well as trained for technical grades. Also according to “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour” in chapter 5 under the Tourism industry, it is expected to take actions to increase the numbers, with and without training, serving in the tourism industry up to million workers and a preliminary diploma course will be initiated to train the youth currently engaged in tour services and those interested in joining the field who do not have the O-level qualifications demanded by existing diplomas. Hence considerable percentage out of 22.17% unskilled labour force in grade 10 or below education category (irrespective of gender) in coastal districts could be skilled in above mentioned specific sectors. Therefore Agriculture, Construction and Tourism sectors are most reliable sectors for unskilled labour force to train and engage in skilled employment in next decade in Sri Lanka.

Annex-1

Profile of Unskilled Labour force in Sri Lanka

• Labourforce in 1^st Quarter 2020 – 8,503,617
• Unskilled Labour force 1^st Quarter 2020 – 2,129,672
• % Unskilled Labour force out of total Labour Force – 25.04

Table 1 -Unskilled labour force with respect to Gender

Table 2 - Unskilled labour force with respect to Age group

Table 3- Unskilled labour force with respect to Educational Attainment

Note: all the unskilled parameters were manipulated based on assuming “Elementary occupation” parameters of 2011 LFS are same as the unskilled labour force parameters of recent years

Table 4 -Unskilled labour force with respect to Districts

Note: all the unskilled parameters were manipulated based on assuming “Elementary occupation” parameters of 2011 LFS are same as the unskilled labour force parameters of recent years

5. Population Projections for year 2030

• Projected Population for year 2030 – 22,513,000
• Estimated Labour force for year 2030 – 8,714,057
• Estimated Unskilled Labour force for year 2030 – 2,182,375

Note:

1. All the Unskilled parameters are calculated based on assuming available Labour force parameters of latest year are same as the Unskilled labour force parameters.( For Table 1 and Table 2 only)

2. Population projection was done using The World Bank website [Population estimates and projections]

Link - https://databank.worldbank.org/source/population-estimates-and-projections

3. Secondary data for Labour force were obtained through the Quarterly Labour Force Survey reports of 1^st Quarter of year 2020, 4^th quarter of year 2019 and annual Labour force survey report of year 2018 and macro data collected from 2011 LFS conducted by Department of Census and Statistics of Sri Lanka.