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Troubled expatriates seeking media help

Vimala Vasan

Letter from theGulf An increase in the number of troubled expatriate callers to the electronic media seeking help has convinced community members here that expanding the network and reach of the electronic and print media in India to extensively cover Gulf-based issues could go a long way in helping those in distress in the Gulf.

ABU DHABI: Media organisations in India can play a major role in highlighting issues and problems related to Gulf expatriate workers and also help resolve financial and family issues that expatriates face, according to representatives of media and social organisations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Seek solution

Increase in the number of expatriate callers to electronic media seeking a solution for their problems, which range from monetary to marital or familial discord, has convinced community members here that expanding the network and reach of electronic and print media in India to extensively cover Gulf-based issues could go a long way in assisting troubled expatriate workers in the Gulf region.

The fact that over four million Indian expatriates live in the Gulf and majority of their family members reside back home makes it all the more imperative that greater efforts are made by the local media to act as channels for increasing awareness and communication.

Rise in suicides

The alarming rise in the number of suicides among expatriate workers indicates a greater urgency for improving such channels of interaction.

Ramesh Payyanur, Assistant Director, Asianet Radio, based in Dubai Media City, told The Hindu that the radio network receives scores of letters from expatriates seeking help for a range of problems. ``We conduct two programmes — Suprabatham and News Hour — where expatriates can call in and voice their problems. On many occasions, listeners who have the capacity to help them either through monetary or other assistance, have rendered great help to these troubled callers. The radio programmes have a very positive impact in this regard,'' he said.

Asianet also conducts a weekly TV programme titled `Gulf Arangu' which is also relayed back home.

Legal advice

According to Mr. Ramesh, the programme is very useful as it highlights some of the acute problems that Gulf-based expatriates face. Legal advice is also provided through this programme, he said.

``The important factor is the need to reach out to and increase the awareness levels of the families of the expatriates who are in trouble. We are thinking of launching a special programme to deal with issues like financial and related problems. The matter is very serious as it is driving more expatriates to the brink than in the past,'' Mr. Ramesh said.

Financial woes

According to K.V. Shamsudheen, chairman of the Pravasi Bandhu Charitable Trust, who launched the ``Sandwanam'' programme a few months back to help distressed expatriates contemplating suicide, majority of the callers cite financial woes as the major reason for them wanting to end their lives.

Depressed callers

Depressed callers indicated that their financial difficulties were primarily triggered by exploitative recruiting agents, cheating relatives and friends, or through incurring huge debts to illegal blade companies here or in India, he said. ``Sandwanam'' receives around 10 to 15 calls a day from desperate expatriate.

Extend all help

Efforts are being made by him and other volunteers to extend all kinds of possible advice and help to enable the expatriates to get out of the trap or avoid such situations in future, he said.

Role of media

``Media in India can really play an important role in this aspect, particularly as majority of the victims are from Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. The support of various media in these regional languages is therefore required to facilitate greater interaction between these troubled expatriates and their families and communities back home,'' Shamsudheen said.

Training for volunteers

The helpline is hoping to organise a training programme for volunteers with the help of a U.K.-based specialist, he said.

Meanwhile, Indian Consulate officials in Dubai indicated earlier this month that the mission was considering setting up a permanent counselling arrangement to render assistance to expatriates.

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