Table of Contents
Indians in the Gulf
- Around eight million people in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries constitute Indian diaspora.
- ~50% are unskilled, ~30% are semiskilled and a small minority of 20% are skilled and lucratively employed.
The Complementary Equation
- Their contribution of nearly 40% of the total foreign exchange remittances to India is critical to its economy.
- Their labour is vital for the GCC economy.
Situation in the Gulf
- The vast majority of them who are on subsistence wages are facing a tough situation in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Of the 3,336 infected Indians spread across 53 countries, 2,061 are in Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, UAE, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia
Situation in the Gulf
- Iran also continues to host around 308 affected Indians, mainly in the cities of Qom and Tehran.
Living Conditions
- Living and working conditions make it extremely difficult for them to practise social distancing or get treatment if infected.
- Most of them are single men living in congested labour camps — using common toilets, rooms etc. One flat houses nearly 8 to 10 people using bunk beds, in what is commonly known as a “bed space”. Therefore, if anyone is infected, it will spread fast.
Many have Medical Conditions
- Many of them suffer from pre-existing medical conditions like diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol and even kidney, liver problems, cancer, etc. and are used to procuring medicines from India, which is now impossible.
- Vast sectors of the economy are shut, rendering many of them jobless.
- Thousands are without documentation.
- The UAE government has said it might revise current partnerships concerning labour relations with nations refusing to cooperate with measures to repatriate private sector expatriates who wish to return home.
What states have to say?
- Pinarayi Vijayan, the Chief Minister of Kerala which is home to more than two million Indian immigrants in the Gulf, has said the State is prepared to receive returnees and provide them care.
- Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Punjab have a significant number of people in the Gulf.
India must…
- Inter-national Cooperation
- Domestic Cooperation
International Cooperation
- It must work closely with governments of the region.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi has nurtured good relations with all rulers of the region but the ongoing crisis is testing the endurance of India’s ties with some of the GCC countries.
Domestic Cooperation
- The Centre must take the initiative to bring together State governments, and work out arrangements with national governments in the region in a manner acceptable to all.
- It will certainly take some effort to arrive at what is doable and desirable at this juncture, but there is no excuse for not doing that.
- That is the least India can do for these people whose search for a livelihood has done the country so much good.
Latest Burning Issues | Free PDF
WhatsApp