P
C THOMAS
The
fast spread of COVID-19 in the Gulf countries has become a major cause of
concern in Kerala, which has a large section of its population working there, a
lot of them are ordinary workers and labourers. It's been more than half a
century since the Malayalee Diaspora working in the Gulf countries. A Malayalee
who sweats in the sand for home and country has a defining role in the economic
growth of Kerala.
The
role of the Gulf Malayalee in the state's economic development cannot be
overstated. As per estimate, more than 30 lakh people from Kerala are working
in the Gulf countries. Also, there are millions of Malayalees in other
countries of Asia, Europe, the US and Africa.
According
to a rough estimate, the overseas Malayalees send a total of Rs 1.5 lakh crore
to Kerala every year. It is estimated that the remittances of the Gulf
Malayalees play a vital role in keeping the Human Development Index (HDI) of
Kerala on par with the developed nations. Would the remittances from the Gulf
to Kerala continue to flow as usual?
With
the spread of COVID 19 in the UAE and other Gulf countries, the Indian
community is in a state of panic. Thousands lost their jobs. Thousands are on
unpaid leave. In this situation it is desirable for them to return home than
languishing there with anxiety and uncertainty. Therefore it is necessary to
bring them back.
Many
Malayalees in the Gulf need immediate help. There are many who worry about
having to pay rent and buy food. It is absolutely necessary that special
schemes are to be prepared for rehabilitation of those who have lost their
jobs. The need of the hour is to reach out to our people who toil in foreign
countries to develop our country!
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