Over 90,000 female domestic workers from various Indian states are currently in Kuwait
Rani George, Norka secretary
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In the wake of the hardships faced by hundreds of Indian maids in Kuwait, the Centre has alerted the states to initiate steps to prevent illegal migration of women to Kuwait.
The Indian embassy in Kuwait informed the Centre that even after restrictions were imposed on recruitment of female domestic workers from India, many still manage to migrate through various channels and become susceptible to exploitation.
Over 90,000 female domestic workers from various Indian states are currently in Kuwait. The majority of them are from Andhra Pradesh, followed by Kerala, Tamilnadu and Telangana, the embassy report said.
Based on its alert, the Overseas Indian Affairs Ministry advised various states, including Kerala, to take immediate steps to prevent the illegal migration.
The non-resident Keralite Affairs (Norka) department is now planning to launch an awareness programme.
“We are planning a general awareness drive on visa cheating as well as the risks in illegally migrating to different countries. The issue over the illegal migration of female domestic workers to Kuwait was also raised in earlier meetings convened by the Centre," Norka secretary Rani George told DC.
Protector general of emigrants T. K. Manoj Kumar had sent the advisory to the states quoting the Indian embassy's alert.
It said many female domestic workers were facing problems like non-payment of wages, dismal working conditions, mental and physical abuse and not allowing to return home even in emergency situations.
Though the embassy had stopped attesting their employment contracts, many still manage to migrate illegally.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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