NOW IT IS KUWAIT'S TURN

Hardly a couple of months back, India felt disturbed when Saudi Arabia decided to implement a new labour law named Nitaqat, which enjoined upon the entrepreneurs to appoint at least one worker after every ten. It made a number of Indian labourers surplus and life suddenly became difficult for the illegal depatriates. Saudis, however were considerate as they gave them time for return to their native countries and get legalized  their travel documents. Unlike that, a similar and harsher decision of Kuwait came as a bolt from the blue for the foreign workers.

The one-point programme of the local govt is to Kuwaitise the employment sector and mercilessly chase away outsiders. They have also not given them some reasonable time to arrange their return journey. The local govt understands that in absence of foreign labourers, many sectors including service, hospital and family aides, if did not come to a standstill, will definitely cripple the day-today life in the country. Still they have decided to take the risk and completely capture the employment opportunities for the indigenous hands. These foreigners came to Kuwait at a time when the country needed their services in every field and the country could come to the present breathtaking status. Despite feeling obliged for this contribution, they are being pushed to the exit door. It is learnt that these workers are targeted for even minor mistakes and arrested from where they are straightway dropped at the airport. The workers are not allowed to visit their residences to collect their personal belongings. The first lot of 260 such hapless Indians, who reached Delhi on May 31, narrated their trials and tribulations.

There are about 24 lakh foreign workers in Kuwait. The local govt has a plan of throwing out ten lakhs of them in next ten years at the rate of one lakh per year. Out of them there are 6,50,000 from India. Among them 1,50,000 are from Kerala alone. At least 4,000 Indians are bound to be affected. Already, Indians are returning from Saudi Arbia. The influx from Kuwait is bound to further worsen the situation. Out of the affected states, Kerala will be hit hardest. This Gulf money had brought happiness in that state which is visible when one sees beautiful buildings in all nook and corner of the state. They will not find alternate jobs in India and even the available ones may not be that lucrative. The jobless hands will take to the criminal routes, which will disturb the social peace.

It may be taken as a waking up call as in the wake of new awakening for indigenous causes, more and more countries in the Gulf will follow suit. The area will not remain an attractive hunting ground for the job seekers. The Govt will have to create more job opportunites internally so that the attraction for foreign countries diminishes.