Mangaluru: Gulf returnees pour out their woes at consultation meet

Mangaluru, Jan 30: For the first time a consolation meet of Gulf returnees, especially those who lost their jobs in Saudi Arabia in the wake of Nitaqat or Saudization drive was held in Mangaluru under the aegis of the Karnataka unit of the Gulf-based India Social Forum.

Dozens of Gulf returnees from across coastal Karnataka had taken part in the meet held at Jamiyyatul Falah auditorium on Tuesday and poured their woes.

Among the top demands raised at the meet were immediate establishment of a help desk at Deputy Commissioner’s office in Mangaluru for the Gulf returnees as promised by the district in-charge minister U T Khader months ago and implementation of the promised scheme by the state governments to help the Gulf returnees to begin a new career in their homeland.

Speaking on the occasion, Abdul Majeed Aladka, a member of ISF, said that non-resident Kannadigas in Gulf, especially those from Dakshina Kannada have greatly contributed towards the development of the region by remitting huge amount of money. “Now the Kannadigas in the Gulf are in trouble due to various developments such as Nitaqat. It is the responsibility of the government and elected representatives of the region to identify and aide those who have lost their Gulf jobs and helplessly returned home,” he said.

On the occasion the formation of Gulf Returnees’ Rehabilitation Committee (GRRC) was announced to exert pressure on the state government to fulfill its promises towards those who lost jobs in the Middle Eastern countries. It was also decided to conduct a job information workshop for the benefit of the Gulf returnees.

A resident of Deralakatte, who had worked in Saudi Arabia for 12 years before losing his job, said that his life was in jeopardy as he is neither getting a job in Gulf nor he has sufficient money to start a small business here. He is looking ahead for the fulfillment of the state government’s promise of providing loan to start up with self-employment.

Aboobakar Sadiq, a resident of Nandavara, said that he has been hunting for a suitable job to take care of his family after he had to leave the Saudi Arabia, where he had worked for six years. 

“It’s been several months since I returned to India after working in Saudi Arabia for five years. But, I could neither start a business due to lack of money nor found a suitable job so far. If the government takes initiative to help people like us, we can start a new life,” said Sunil Joseph, a local resident.

ISF activists Nasir Kalabagilu, Ubaidullah Bantwal and Ibrahim Uppinangady were present.