Pravasi Divas being turned into fair for rich NRIs: TS Gulf workers' outfits

Hyderabad: The chairman of CSR Foundation, Chennamaneni Srinivas Rao, expressed displeasure that Gulf workers' issues were not included in the agenda of the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrations organised by the government of India in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.

The events will be held from 8 to 10 January.

Telangana Gulf JAC organised the 'Mazdoor Pravasi Divas' on Saturday at Somajiguda Press Club, Hyderabad. Mr. Srinivas Rao, who was the chief guest, said Pravasi Divas is being turned into a fair for rich NRIs while the poor Gulf workers are being ignored.

Singireddy Naresh Reddy, Gulf convener of TPCC's NRI cell, criticised the Central government for using the foreign exchange remitted by 88 lakh Indian expatriates in the Gulf countries and not caring about their welfare. The MPs should raise the Gulf migration issues in the upcoming Budget sessions of the Parliament. The Indian government's focus is on trade agreements with Gulf countries but not on workers' plight and welfare, he alleged. Mr. Naresh Reddy alleged that the government is doing export and import business and using human resources to earn foreign exchange.

Telangana Gulf Workers' JAC chairman Guggilla Ravi Goud, who presided over the meeting, said the 'Mazdoor Pravasi Divas' is being organised in Hyderabad under the auspices of the migrant rights association to make their voice heard by the Central government. He said they are expressing their protest to the Central government through this meeting.

Mr. Ravi Goud demanded that a special Gulf plenary session be held during Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, which is being held in Indore, on the issues of Gulf migration and Gulf workers.

Pravasi Mithra Labor Union president Swadesh Parkipandla asked the Central and state governments to formulate schemes for the rehabilitation of those who returned from the Gulf. Swadesh urged the government to provide legal assistance and discuss with the Gulf countries to get the salary arrears and end-of-service benefits for workers who lost their jobs abroad due to the Covid-19 epidemic.

The president of the Emigrants Welfare Forum Bheem Reddy Mandha requested the Central government to include natural death in the Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana insurance policy worth Rs. 10 lakhs. The government should amend the rules of the PBBY insurance on the occasion of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, he said and asked the Indian government to use its diplomatic relations and convince the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait governments to set up their consulates (diplomatic missions) in Hyderabad.

They urged the Telangana state government to set up a 'Gulf Workers Welfare Board' for the welfare of 15 lahks Telangana migrant workers living in the Gulf countries and another 30 lakh workers who have returned from the Gulf. They asked the state government to allot an annual budget of Rs. 500 crores for the welfare of the Gulf workers and an ex-gratia of Rs. 5 lakhs for the deceased migrant families.