Flight of hope crashes

Thiruvananthapuram: The stranding of hundreds of Indians, including Malayalis, in Saudi Arabia now could be just the tip of an iceberg as layoffs and ban on recruitment are becoming quite common in Gulf countries after falling oil prices.

Over these years, there had been several instances of a mass exodus from different regions like the exodus of nearly 20,000 Malayalis from the kingdom in 2013 following Nitaqat. But in those cases, the experienced workforce was able to find jobs in other parts of the region.

But the present scenario is different from the earlier ones. The oil price fall has hit the entire Gulf region. Hence the chances of getting new jobs there is very bleak in the present context, experts in sector point out.

NORKA-Roots consultant B. Vivek says the repercussions of the oil prices fall is being felt even on the nursing jobs.

"There had been a couple of instances of Gulf-based health groups placing demand for nurses, but later putting it on hold owing to the crisis," he said.

It was learnt that oil major Saudi Aramco, intended to recruit over 100 nurses, and an institution in Bahrain were among those who have put on hold the recruitment of nurses after placing demands.

If the present crisis mainly pertained to the employees of Saudi Oger, there were reports that Saudi Binladin Group, another construction major in the region, is also delaying payments to its workers. There were also reports that the firm had laid off over 70,000 employees.

In this grim scenario, it is high time that the state government be prepared to face the challenges that may pose by a massive exodus. Apart from the economic aspects related to the remittances, a mass exodus can also trigger social issues. At present, the only support being offered by the government is the NORKA Department Project for Return Emigrants.

"Already a good number of returnees had availed the scheme, mainly for purchasing taxis. There were certain issues about interests subsidy which are being sorted out," said NORKA secretary Usha Titus.
"We will extend it to more banks."

Meanwhile, government sources said the government has limited options in helping the returnees, especially due to the attitude of the NRKs.

"The state is facing acute shortage of workers in the construction sector. But those who are engaged in construction work in Gulf countries are not willing to take up the same job here," said the official.

Sources in the sector say about 80 percent of the NRKs are either semi-skilled and unskilled workers. Their average monthly earning is only around 2,000 dirhams (around Rs 35,000). In the present scenario, a construction sector worker in the state could also earn up to Rs 25,000 in Kerala, pointed out Pradeep Kumar, a UAE-based civil engineer. Sensing the crisis, many NRKs had sent their families back home over the last one year.

The present crisis in the Gulf is causing concerns not only among the thousands of NRKs but also scores of candidates aspiring jobs in the Gulf countries. In the current scenario of engineering colleges mushrooming in the state, hundreds of candidates pursue the engineering career by availing education loans dreaming of a Gulf job.

Similar is the situation in the nursing sector. These aspects might worsen the social scenario of Kerala if the Gulf crisis continues, sources point out.