Iraq Crisis: Returning home left them broke

Hyderabad: Iraq-returned migrant workers from Andhra Pradesh, who are already in great debt, are requesting the state government to provide them some form of rehabilitation or financial assistance as most of them spent almost Rs 1.5 lakh to return to safe ground.

Nearly 57 people of the 230 who returned to India from Iraq with the help of the Indian embassy belong to Andhra Pradesh.

Kashetti Murali of Raikal in Karimnagar went to Erbil in search of a livelihood in April 2014. He joined as a driver in a travel agency and worked there for a couple of months. But, with the sudden spurt of violence, he was forced to leave Iraq.  

Apart from paying a sum of Rs 1,40,000 for visa and travel charges, he had to pay an immigration fine of Rs 18,000.  

“I am badly trapped in debt now. I belong to a very poor family and I have a wife and two daughters. I went to the collector’s office and gave a representation, seeking help. Many people could not come back with me, because they did not have enough money. The embassy there also charges  $350  before giving  air ticket,” said Mr Murali .

Another resident from East Godavari Srinivas G. who returned on June 24 from Basra was working as a construction labourer.

“I came back for my family. But, now I have a debt of Rs1.5 lakh. The government must consider our case and help us,” he added.