The Hindu : Gulf NRIs criticise Government

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 11, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Gulf NRIs criticise Government

NEW DELHI, JAN. 10 . The Government today came under attack from NRIs in Gulf countries, mainly from Kerala, for its 'lukewarm' response to many of the problems being faced by them and wanted low fare flights, pension and rehabilitation schemes for the returning workers, and voting rights.

Participating at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas special session "NRIs in Gulf", they expressed serious concern over the government's decision to shelve Air-India's plan to start low fare flights. "One can reach Mumbai via Karachi and Kochi via Colombo in airlines other than Air India and Indian Airlines from any gulf country," they pointed out.

Confronted by the periodic hike in airfare between India and Gulf, there has been consistent demand from the Gulf-bound travellers for an alternate and cheaper mode of transport. Their hopes were hinged on a proposal pending with Air India to start the budget airline, a concept that is catching up the world over.

Similarly, the opening of a consulate by six Gulf countries is another issue that the Kerala Government and the Centre should take up, they said. The problems faced by a large number of people in getting visas from the Embassies concerned could be solved if the Consulates are opened in the State.

A prominent businessman criticised the Government, saying that it was "sitting pretty" after announcing that it needed no more deposit as it reached $100 billion mark. It was pointed out that out of the $100 billion deposit, $50 billion were from 3.5 million-strong Indian Diaspora living in the Gulf. "Now the government is saying no more deposit is required? Is it the correct approach?"

The Union Labour Minsiter, Sahib Singh Varma, and the Minsiter of State for External Affairs, Vinod Khanna, who attended the session, however, pacified them, saying that the Government was concerned about their problems and their security was the government priority.

The Labour Minister announced that a Compulsory Insurance scheme, known as the "Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana" has been introduced from December 25, 2003. It provides for a cover of up to Rs.2 lakhs in the event any emigrant worker dies or is permanently handicapped while employed abroad. Other features include the reimbursement of cost, the repatriation in the contingency of the foreign employer refusing to receive the worker on arrival or changing conditions of service subsequently.

He said that the government was aware of the need for taking suitable measures for their welfare and take timely corrective measures to avoid exploitation of the large number of unskilled and semi-skilled workers. A special provision has been made for providing maternity benefit to female emigrant workers. UNI

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala