Indian expatriates in Jeddah have called on their government to do more for citizens working in the Gulf and other overseas countries, including giving them concessions on their investments sent home, education of their children and buying land to build homes.
In the wake of the 11th edition of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (Non-Resident Indian Day), that concluded in Kochi, India on Wednesday, expatriates in Jeddah also criticized Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
"A man of words and not of deeds is like a garden full of weeds. Until we see something concrete in place, it is likely we NRIs (Non-Resident Indians) will be skeptical,” said Uzma Raheem, an Indian expatriate and founder of the Hope Center for Exceptional Needs in Jeddah. She welcomed the prime minister's positive comments but said it lacked clarity.
She was referring to the speech made in India Tuesday by Singh, who praised the work ethic of Indians working overseas and said the government would make it easier for them to travel, educate their children and ensure they are integrated into the Indian economy when they return home. Singh also said Indians overseas have become more vulnerable to economic crises, conflicts, civil unrest and hate crimes; and that their safety and security was uppermost in "our minds."
Raheem said Indian expats have deep concerns about returning home. “Home and income security for NRIs is a vital issue for many returning or thinking of returning home. The thought of an insecure future and uncertain conditions make many an NRI worry about going back to their roots,” she said.
This year’s inaugural session of Pravasi Divas on Monday dealt with issues faced by NRI’s in the Gulf, with a special focus on those from the south Indian state of Kerala.
Among the top issues that came up during the session included the need to set up a single window process at the Indian embassy to expedite the transfer of dead bodies from Saudi Arabia to India, and the launch of an online voting system to ensure Indian expats had a say in the electoral process of their country.
Union minister for overseas Indian affairs Vayalar Ravi released the India Migration Report 2013, and promised to help NRIs living in the region.
Minister for non-resident Keralite affairs K. C. Joseph said that the staff at Indian embassies was inadequate to meet the demands of the NRI population in West Asia.
Akbar Batcha, an expatriate from Tamil Nadu, India, and managing director at Maxvision International in Jeddah, also called on the Indian government to do more.
“What the prime minister said is normal and I don't see any tangible benefits for NRIs. In fact, there are no promises. Our prime minister is always moderate and never sounds euphoric or rhetorical. It is unimpressive,” said Batcha.
“Moreover, I don't think the government understands the NRIs' social and economic issues, especially those in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council). They must see it from a social and community perspective rather than viewing us as cash cows that support our national foreign reserves,” he said.
Batcha said the foremost issue of concern to Indian expats is that of higher education.
“With increasing financial constraints and educational challenges, the first and foremost requirement is higher education facilities in the Kingdom. The Indian government must enter into a dialogue with Saudi higher education authorities to allow Indian universities to operate in KSA. This will ensure quality higher education for Indians and will also be economically beneficial to the host country.”
Israrul Haque, lecturer of Economics, Finance Health Care at Batterjee Medical College in Jeddah, agreed with this view. “There are many problems that must be addressed but the priority issue is higher education as it is now becoming extremely difficult to send back our children aged 21 and above on exit/entry visas. Central universities of India must have their premises here like they have in Dubai,” he said.
Haque said expatriates must receive concessions on their investments in India, as it will serve the purpose of foreign direct investment. “Currently India's foreign exchange has increased by $ 40 million and I feel it is due to a major contribution of the Gulf expatriates. On their final return, expatriates must be entitled to special concessions on buying land to construct homes. NRIs should also be given voting rights while they are still away from India,” he added.
“Why can’t we have a nominated MP from among NRIs in the Rajya Sabha (upper parliamentary house) to represent our voices? Sports persons and film celebrities can represent people of their respective faculties in the house. The 6 million Indians living in the GCC also require a strong voice in the Parliament,” said Batcha. “There won't be any solutions for us without looking at the micro level (concerns of) Indian communities living abroad.”
Another issue, he said, that has largely failed to get enough attention is the status of NRIs. “We should be categorized as OCW (Overseas Contract Workers) with the same facilities of NRIs and be treated as normal citizens of India.”
Meanwhile, a study on migration of Indians to Saudi Arabia released during the Pravasi Divas said that despite various economic advantages, there is also a social cost that migrants are forced to pay over time for staying away from their kin.
The children of parents who work abroad are more likely to rebel, drop out of school and are prone to substance abuse, said the report titled "Living and Working Conditions of Low and Semi-Skilled Migrants," commissioned by the ministry of overseas Indian affairs' research unit on international migration in Kerala.
The Kerala government announced it will set up a help desk to ensure the welfare of elderly parents of NRIs and has asked those working in West Asia to register complaints over the phone so that the government can ensure the safety of family members and protect their personal property.
An annual event held since January 2003, the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention is the flagship event of the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs to connect India to its vast Indian diaspora and to bring their knowledge, expertise and skills onto a common platform.
The ministry estimates the Indian diaspora to be about 25 million strong, spread across the world.
This year’s event was overshadowed by outrage across India over corruption and the recent Delhi gang rape incident.
“I would need proper guidelines which would instill a sense of security on return. Stable government, sound economic policies, good investment returns, and with the recent turn of events, we would probably have to get a clearer picture of the law and order situation as well. Like a bird that is airborne for a major part of its life, when it lands, it would like to land on a solid terra firma,” said Raheem.
