Minister of Labour Manusha Nanayakkara says the state services require a workforce of 1 million to operate at present.
Speaking in Parliament today, he further said that, however, under the former governments, the state sector workforce increased to 1.7 million, while government appointments were given to graduates thrice in the recent past.
Responding to a question raised by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa on the government appointments of unemployed graduates, Minister Nanayakara questioned what MP Premadasa proposes to do under his government policy.
Minister Manusha Nanayakkara questioned if the Opposition Leader would disregard the burden and needs of the state and provide appointments to all unemployed graduates.
In response to the question, MP Premadasa said the issue of unemployed graduates cannot be resolved only by the state sector, but can only be resolved together through state, private, semi-government, and foreign employment sectors.
MP Premadasa said this was the solution that would be provided under a Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) regime.
He further alleged that Provincial Governors were providing state appointments to their close associates, but the government was unable to resolve the issues of unemployed graduates.
The Opposition Leader reiterated that the issue of unemployed graduates needs to be resolved together with the private, semi-government, and foreign employment sectors. (Newswire)