Kerala: Many returnees want to go back

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Recently, four nurses who were among those evacuated from war-torn Yemen last year approached an official at the chief minister’s office seeking help to go back. The official, who advised them not to take the risk, was taken aback when he later received a message from one of them saying she had reached there and started working. Despite the war and the emigration ban, many who had returned have gone back under financial compulsions, and many are eagerly awaiting to follow them.
 

The aspirants manage to go via other Gulf countries. Moreover, those with existing work permit can go without obtaining clearance. “Many nurses with existing work permits are returning these days. We can’t prevent them, but only give advisory on the situation on the ground there,” said a Bureau of Immigration official.

The Protector of Emigrants (PoE) is also getting enquiries from those who returned from Yemen about the possibilities of going back. “Many, especially nurses, seem to be desperate due to financial problems, and they are even prepared to face any eventuality. But we can't give clearance,” PoE Pradeep A. said.

Even during the evacuations last year,  many Malayalis preferred to stay back. “What we could learn is that many Malayali nurses are still working in hospitals in rural Yemen where there's not much tension. They are also getting salaries starting from Rs 25,000,” sources at the CMO said.