The Hon. Vijitha Herath - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, the answer is as follows:

¶ 02 (a) (i) There is no visa scheme in South Korea called “E.S.” for foreign workers. Seasonal employment in South Korea is granted under the E-8 visa scheme.

¶ 03 At present, the E-8 visa scheme comprises: 1. E-8-1 (Agriculture) – granted under MOUs between provincial governments. 2. E-8-2 (Agriculture) – granted to a closest relative of a foreigner married to a South Korean national under the F-6 visa category. 3. E-8-3 (Fisheries) – granted under MOUs between provincial governments. 4. E-8-4 (Fisheries) – granted to a closest relative of a foreigner married to a South Korean national under the F-6 visa category.

¶ 04 As per the Bureau’s Board approval (Board Paper 73/2025-M-05), for E-8-2 and E-8-4 the Bureau allows self-registration. Accordingly, in 2025 three persons have self-registered at the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment and departed for South Korea under E-8.

¶ 05 (ii) Yes.

¶ 06 (iii) Seven jobseekers who attempted to depart from Katunayake Airport for seasonal employment in South Korea without registering at the Bureau, in violation of the SLBFE Act, were turned back by Bureau officers on 22.09.2024.

¶ 07 Those jobseekers had paid Rs. 7,172,400 to a licensed foreign employment agency, Sejong World (Pvt.) Ltd (Licence No. 3625). By order in MC Negombo Case No. B/13761/24, that amount has been refunded to them. The Bureau has suspended the licence of Sejong World (Pvt.) Ltd.

¶ 08 Recruitment for South Korean seasonal employment cannot be done by the private sector (DOE).

¶ 09 An instance of obtaining visas using an improperly executed MOU, without following due procedure, has been reported. The CID and the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption are conducting investigations.

¶ 10 (b) Does not arise.