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A landmark
development in tackling the problems of Non-Resident
Keralites took place at Kozhikode on 26.06.2004,
when Hon’ble Minister for NORKA, Mr. M.M.Hassan
declared to a packed whole of informed participants
on the seminar on recruitment problems and
Emigration Act,1983, about the formation of a
committee headed by Justice K.Sukumaran to submit a
report to the government containing suggestions for
the amendment of the Central Act.
As one of the delegates pointed out the seminar had
some unique features. A paper prepared by Justice
K.Sukumaran indicating the dimensions of the
problems and the directive for action, along with a
full text of the Act and Rules framed thereunder,
had been circulated to all the participants. The
paper provided for intervening space for each
participants to jote down the ideas and indicating
suggestions in the light of the deliberations.
The deliberations of the seminar will not therefore
disappear into the thin air at the conclusion of the
seminar.
Those who participated where persons competent to
deal with the various facets of the problem. D.I.G.
Mr.Sinha, S.P.Sreejith prepared papers on the
problem viewed from the police perspective. As for
the local police the only legal provision which
could be invoked against the fraudulent / recruiting
agent / travel agent is section 420 of the I.P.C.
The difficulties in successfully prosecuting an
offence under this section, having regard to current
realities, were pointed out by them.
Protector of Emigrants operating at Trivandrum and
Kochi were present. They were the targets of attack
from many of the participants. Some openly stated
about rampant corruption in the offices. There was
no Emigrant friendly response from the officials.
People who were denied Emigration from Trivandrum
and Kochi easily fly to their destinations from
Mumbai and Hyderabad. How could this happen? – was a
relevant query. The officials endeavored to reply
which many felt not to be convincing enough.
One excuse put forward was the volume of business
and the inadequacy of staff. A delegate from North
Kerala pointed to the difficulties for an Emigrant
to travel all the way to Kochi or Trivandrum. A
registered office at Kozhikode would mitigate the
hardship he pointed out. Mr.Hassan informed the
participants that the government of Kerala had
already written to the government of India for
opening an additional office of the Protector of
Emigrants at Kozhikode.
Many from the recruiting agent groups pointed out
the great contribution made by the recruiting agents
in facilitating overseas employment for the
unemployed youth of Kerala.
The cost of obtaining Visa has also shot up, with
the escalation of demands from various quarters. It
was Mr.Reghu who pointed out that as against an
estimated number of 2000, they had facilitated
Emigration of 4000 persons. In their 30 years of
functioning, there was no single occasion for the
police to make an enquiry about their activities.
Some indicated that persons operating as sub agents
of agents of Mumbai and other places out side Kerala
used to mislead people in rural areas by posh
offices and pompous talks. There is no control over
the activities of such persons.
Representatives from Pravasi organizations expressed
their anguish about subsisting grievances. Some of
them like Moideen Haji from Malappuram Palace Hotel
mentioned about the early days of exodus to Saudi
Arabia and the great contributions made by the early
Emigrants in diverse ways. Many are mislead by the
advertisements in news paper. Usha Kumari, a
participant from Monga narrated her grievances. On
payment of Rs.2.5 Lakhs, she was promised a job in
California, but had been left high and dry in Mumbai
when the intended flight took off without her and
her family. The liability for borrowing has now shot
up to Rs.5 Lakhs. Similarly, 200 persons with
P.G.Degree had been so mercilessly cheated.
The announcement of a
committee
Minister Hassan, Jiji Thomson, Secretary, NORKA and
Satish Nambudiripad, CEO of ROOTS sat through the
entire deliberations. The announcement of the
committee was received with great enthusiasm by the
participants.
The
committee is likely to interact with various
segments of the society connected with the problem.
The media gave wide coverage to the event. Hindu and
Indian Express publishing it with utmost importance.
Many of the participants demanded to have regular
conferences to discuss by threadbare the very many
problems of Non-Resident Keralites. Niyama Sameeksha
along with NORKA is organizing such seminars.
The movement, as one reported is likely to develop
into a strong one which would help the State and the
Nation in substantial measures.
Conclusion
Some of the representatives suggested that Malayalam
translation of the English working paper could have
been useful. Niyama Sameeksha is taking steps to
satisfy this demand.
Another seminar is being organized on 29.06.2004 in
Niyama Sameeksha premises. Justice K.Sukumaran will
inaugurate the seminar. It synchronizes with the
inauguration of the specialized library related to
Emigration, Passport and overseas employment.
The ILO convention of June, 2004 and the Rome
International Conference of 1460 of 2004, dealing
with Migrant Labour Convention would be commented
upon in the seminar.
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