2 UN agencies meet TS chief secy to talk rehabilitation of migrant workers

Hyderabad: A high-level delegation comprising members of the International Organisation of Migration (IOM) and International Labour Organisation (ILO) met Telangana chief secretary Somesh Kumar on Tuesday at the Burgula Ramakrishna Rao Bhavan in Hyderabad.

They discussed measures to reintegrate international returnee migrants in Telangana.

The chief secretary said that the state government has established Telangana Overseas Manpower Company (TOMC) for the skill development of unemployed youth of the state.

"The government is also approaching several countries to help the state's youth find jobs worldwide," he added.

He also said the government has created a favorable ecosystem to deepen sustainable initiatives for the reintegration of migrant workers.

Special chief secretary (labour) Rani Kumudini, special secretary (industries) Vishnuvardhan Reddy, head of IOM office Sanjay Awasthi, ILO director Dagmar Walter, and other officials were present at the meeting.

'Reintegrate & rehabilitate returning migrant workers'

Mandha Bheem Reddy, a migrant rights activist, speaking with NewsMeter, said Dino Corell, labour migration specialist, and Amish Karki, technical officer for South Asia, ILO, met him to discuss the issues of Gulf migrants.

He said, "When the migrant worker comes back after a few years, they are isolated from society. This happens due to their prolonged absence from the native place. A lot has changed in those years."

When asked what can be done to help international migrants, he suggested, "A framework should be made to return, reintegrate and rehabilitate them. Reintegration is the most important step."

He added, "The Central government has made its stand clear that reintegration is the state government's duty."

He said that a comprehensive programme should be formulated to help returning migrants reintegrate into society. "This should be done by including the labor department, banks, and SC (Schedule Castes), ST (Schedule Tribes), and BC (Backward Castes) welfare departments," the activist explained.

About rehabilitation, he said, "The people who are coming back are trained in skills with international standards, making them highly skilled individuals. They should be rehabilitated in their hometown or nearby mandal headquarters."

He concluded, "If they are given aid to set up small-scale businesses, they will create employment for the unemployed youth in the area."