Indian workers' toil in UAE needs govt intervention

WEBINDIA.COM

Dubai | Saturday, Oct 27 2007 IST


After maids, it is now security guards and cleaning staff who need the Indian government's intervention, says a voluntary body in the UAE.

The plight of thousands of Indian workers from Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, working as security guards and doing cleaning and maintenance jobs was brought to the notice of the Minister for Overseas Indians Vayalar Ravi during his recent visit.

''Companies involved in these activities are recruiting workers from Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh with promises of high salaries. Once they arrive here they are realising the salary is bare minimum, with unhygienic accommodation and food. ''They have to work without any weekly holiday more than eight hours and spend three to four hours travelling to and fro. Their salary is around 500 dirham. These workers are the victims of unscrupulous recruiting agents and their false promises. We request you to take some measures to stop this exploitation of theworkers,'' said K V Shamsudheen, President of Pravasibandhu, in an appeal to the minister.

He also urged the minister to take joint action with two other ministers from Kerala at the Centre to permit international airlines to operate from Kozhikode.