Those earning below 35,000 pound per annum for more than five years will be deported
Representational image
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Giving some relief to hundreds of Indian nurses and their families in the UK, deputy high commissioner Bharat Joshi has indicated that restrictions on migrant workers might be reviewed. As per the country’s migrant worker policy coming into effect in April next year, those earning below 35,000 pound per annum for more than five years will be deported. This was posing a serious threat to scores of Indian nurses in this income bracket, a majority of them Keralites.
“Policies on migrant works are always kept under review. Nursing is a very crucial part of health sector and hence UK could not be able to afford any massive exodus of nurses,” Mr. Joshi told Deccan Chronicle on the sidelines of a session organised by the Confederation of Indian Industries here. Concerned over the issue, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had urged the Centre to take up the matter with the UK government.
In a letter to external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj last month, Mr Chandy pointed out that the implementation of the fresh norm by the UK may lead to a mass exodus of nurses. The UK's new policy has already invited criticism from various quarters saying it would affect the country’s health sector. There is also a pressing demand for exempting nursing sector from the restrictions, sources said.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
Next Story
