Most of the NRI’s in Gulf are shocked to hear the news that Central Government is firm on its stand that NRI cannot be brought from Middle East immediately. With the spread of COVID 19 in the Gulf, the negative attitude of the central and state governments towards the expatriates is a cause of concern for expatriates.
Indian Overseas Congress Middle East Convener Mansoor Palloor said that it was disappointing that the announcement made after the consultations of the Center and the State Governments did not make any immediate efforts to repatriate the expatriates.
The majority of expatriates working in the construction sector and in unorganized sector are either in small accommodations or in labor camps. In the meantime, the pestilence has directly impacted ordinary working class people physically, financially and psychologically.
India continues to maintain its position despite permitting countries to operate flights from the Gulf to safely repatriate their citizens. Many countries have already begun the process of deporting their citizens.
Mansoor Palloor, convener of the Indian Overseas Congress-Middle East, meanwhile, drew the attention of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to their plight.
“All these Gulf countries are under lockdown and many of them lost their jobs all of a sudden,” Mansoor Palloor said in a letter to him. “Those who have lost their jobs , those who are on a visiting visa and ofther dependents, including the aged and pregnant are currently experiencing a traumatic situation.”
He said jobiless youngsters who ive in labour camps are most vulnerable and they cannot even imagine how to practice “social distancing”.
Dr Sam Pitroda, the IOC Chaman, had held a video-conference last week with senior officials of the group in the ME on the pandemic situation. He said many non-resident Indian groups are wiling to charter fights for those who wan to return and the government needs to ensure quarantine focilities only.
Mansoor Palloor urged Rahul Gandhi, Senior Congress leader representing Wayanad constituency in Kerala, to take the lead and talk to the federal and state governments.
Mumbai: Gulf NRIs in trouble, State and Central Govt not allowing expatriates to return to India due to spread of covid-19
