Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

New emigration norms hit workers

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Association of Travel Agents has demanded withdrawal of the new emigration norms making production of bank guarantee of US $ 2,500 mandatory for emigration clearance of individual visas.

The new rules had badly hit the three-lakh skilled and unskilled workers from the State proceeding to the Gulf countries in search of a job, association president K.V. Muralidharan and secretary Chanankara M.P. Kunju told a press conference here on Tuesday.

“The norms that has been introduced in the name of welfare of Non-Resident Keralites and ensuring their security are aimed at encouraging corruption and helping the lobby indulging in illegal recruitment,” they said.

Overseas employers would opt for recruitment from other countries as no one would come forward to give the bank guarantee. The association said this would badly affect masons and carpenters who were in great demand in the Gulf countries for their skill.

Although Vayalar Ravi is the Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs and the Secretary is an IAS official from Kerala, the new norms had been introduced by a lobby in the ministry without the knowledge of Mr. Ravi.

Emigration clearance is required for those who have not passed SSLC for seeking employment in several countries, including the Gulf. As per the new norms, those seeking clearance for individual visas will have to obtain a bank guarantee of US $ 2,500.

The certificate issued by the Indian Embassy of that country, on submitting the bank guarantee, should be produced as proof to the Protector of Emigrants (POE) for clearance.

However, it has been pointed out that the new norms are not applicable for those seeking recruitment through approved recruitment agencies.

The association pointed out that clearance was being made available by forging documents and after taking Rs.7,000 to Rs.8,000.

On an average, 500 visa applications were received in the office of POE in Thiruvananthapuram for the mandatory clearance.

Already, an insurance scheme is mandatory for getting emigration clearance. Mr. Muralidharan said the Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs should issue instructions to withdraw the new rules.

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