SoS pleas from AP’s migrants in Gulf rising

Update: 2024-08-02 18:03 GMT
Migrant workers. (Represnetational Image)

Vijayawada: Hardships being faced by migrant workers from AP in Gulf countries are rising. So are SoS messages from them, raising concerns among their families.

Many of such workers are victims of illegal agents, who collect money from them promising high-paying salaries in the Gulf. Workers, in particular those without formal education, from areas like Rayalaseema and erstwhile East and West Godavari districts, migrate even for low-paying jobs, like masons, drivers and housemaids.
As per official data, there are around over one lakh registered workers in the Gulf. But the actual number could be much higher.

In recent months, desperate calls from workers who have gone to the Gulf to be rescued have been on the rise. Three migrant workers have approached AP minister Nara Lokesh alone for rescue. AP Non-Resident Telugu Society (APNRTS), a state government entity, has been actively taking part in getting back such workers.

As per data Deccan Chronicle obtained from APNRTS, there are over one lakh registered workers from AP working in semi-skilled and skilled sectors in Gulf nations, including Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Kuwait tops the list, with a staggering 66,065 Telugu migrants working in that country. It is followed by 13,107 workers in the UAE; 7,750 in Bahrain; 7,218 in Oman; 6,846 in Saudi Arabia, and 5,172 workers in Qatar.

However, a senior APNRTS representative, on condition of anonymity, told DC that the actual number of migrant workers from AP in these countries could be two to three times higher. “This is because many of the migrant people do not register themselves or provide any details, as they go there illegally,” he stated.

Only about two dozen recruiting agencies are registered with the Ministry of External Affairs. However, illegal agents in AP are many and many people fall prey to such agents.

“Many of these illegal agents are Gulf returnees. They recruit low-skilled workers for menial jobs, who end up in the clutches of employers there,” the APNRTS representative added.


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