Saudi- Gulf returnees from Kerala demand pension scheme

(MENAFN- Arab News)  Keralite workers returning from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries have called upon the state government to provide them with reservation in jobs, to introduce a pension system for them and establish a corporation for the development of expatriates. During a survey conducted by Sign with the financial support of Al-Abeer Medical Group, the Keralites also called for new investment projects to make use of NRK funds and hold training programs for Keralites intending to work in the Gulf countries. "The government should also take initiative to establish hospitals in Thiruvanandapuram, Kozhikode and Kochi where NRKs will receive health services at subsidized rates," the NRK returnees said. The survey was based on information collected from 1,200 families in eight districts of Kerala, said Alungal Mohammed, CMD of Al-Abeer Group, during a press conference on Tuesday. More than 53 percent of the surveyed demanded a pension scheme for the benefit of returning NRKs. Among the Keralites surveyed, 59.13 percent had attained less than secondary education. "Among the less educated expatriates, 40 percent were Muslims." About 37 percent of returnees had gone to the Gulf before 1990 while 82 percent of them heard about Gulf jobs from their friends and relatives. The survey revealed, "More than 38 percent of the surveyed had gone to the Gulf because of financial difficulties." Over 36 percent traveled to the Gulf after borrowing money from relatives. According to Salah Karadan, Sign's academic director, "About 86 percent of NRKs from the Malabar area and 46.8 percent from outside Malabar had no knowledge about the rules and regulations in the Gulf countries." The survey revealed that the less educated stayed in the Gulf for longer period than the educated. It also pointed out that only 10 percent of NRKs visited their families back in Kerala every year. About 79 percent of the surveyed returned due to health problems, it added. Nearly 60 percent of the surveyed mostly educated, were happy with the lives they led in the Gulf and more than 20 percent of the returnees said they were ready to go back to Gulf countries if they receive good job opportunities. Among the returnees, thirty-two percent want to start up businesses, while 39 percent are looking for good jobs in the state.