Telangana IT Minister K T Rama Rao on Monday met migrant workers from Telangana, who are working in Dubai.
Migrant workers from Telangana constitute the second largest group of migrant workers after those from Kerala. It is estimated there are about a lakh workers from Telangana in Dubai. The Minister visited Sonapur camp where some 20,000 workers from Telangana live. The Minister inspected their living facilities, kitchen, dining hall, and bathrooms. He also interacted with them about their problems.
Many workers face a number of problems that start from when they are in India itself and continue after their arrival in Dubai and during their employment. They get exploited by agents first and then by some of the employers. They face very difficult living conditions. Non-payment of minimum wages is another common issue.
The Minister discussed the possibility of organising skills training for workers planning to work overseas, registration of workers, regulation of agents, preparing literature on rights for workers’ awareness, deploying Telugu speaking staff in Indian Consulate, legal assistance, designing an insurance scheme for migrant workers, assistance in relocating willing workers back to Telangana by identifying suitable local jobs, and so on. The Minister assured the workers that the government will soon bring out a detailed policy which will help the migrant workers overcome these problems.
Earlier in the day, the Minister visited the Dubai Central Jail in Awair where a few persons from Telangana are serving prison sentences. The Minister has been making an effort to secure their release for the last two years. For five of them, the efforts made are bearing fruit and they are likely to be released shortly. KTR also learnt about the cases of some other detenus and assured them of help from the Indian Consulate to get their matters attended to on a priority.
Accompanied by Special Chief Secretary of Industries Pradeep Chandra and Commissioner of Industries Jayesh Ranjan, KTR visited Dubiotech complex where a number of biotechnology laboratories are located. The delegation called on the Director, Dubiotech Marwan Abdulaziz. Abdulaziz promised to participate in the forthcoming Bio Asia summit being organized by the State government in Hyderabad during February 2015 and explore the discussed opportunities further. (NSS)
