Hyderabad: The bodies of nearly 500 migrant workers arrive at the Shamshabad Airport every year. Most of them die in Gulf countries are in the age group of 25 to 45 and are from Karimnagar and Nizamabad district in Telangana, and East and West Godavari and Kadapa districts in AP.
This is in addition to the bodies of migrant workers from the two states that arrive in Chennai and Bengaluru airports. Extreme weather conditions and excess work pressure is the reason for most of the deaths.
Medical experts say that working in 50ºC temperatures during the day and resting in relatively cooler weather at nights causes dehydration and heat strokes. Excess meat consumption also leads to issues like diabetes and increased blood pressure, sometimes proving fatal.
Of the 500 dead bodies that arrived at Shamshabad airport in 2015, 426 were from Gulf countries. This year, till March 14, 65 of the 88 bodies that arrived were from the Gulf. As per statistics available with the government, around 10 lakh people each from TS and AP are working in Gulf countries, including those who are staying there illegally.
Majority of the people who travel with valid work visas and medical fitness certificates are employed as unskilled labour. Skilled workers include sales and marketing executives and other professionals.
Those in the unskilled category often work outdoors, and are exposed to the hot sun for up to nine hours a day. After completing the day’s work, they rest in a relatively cooler environment.
“The human body cannot adapt to such temperature fluctuations in a short duration,” said senior consultant physician Dr Harikishan Boorugu.
The main cause behind the death of workers is the food habits they follow.
“Meat is the major food there and they hardly get vegetarian food. In addition, they do not get time to exercise causing obesity, diabetes and related complications,” said Dr Boorugu.
Suicides are also reported due to excess pressure and unable to cope with loneliness. In addition to these, worksite accidents and road accidents are other causes.
