Kadapa: Thousands of people from Andhra Pradesh, who returned from Kuwait because of corona, are now unable to return and they are facing problems of unemployment.
The Kuwaiti government has not yet relaxed restrictions on the entry of Indians. About 30 lakh workers from the two Telugu states were employed in Gulf countries. They were employed as masons, maids, drivers and other professions. About 14,000 people from Kadapa district were working in those countries and more than half of them returned to the state last year. They are unable to stay in employment or residential colonies. They have been staying at home for the past year and in the absence of employment, they are subject to a lot of difficulties here. Even though corona has declined somewhat, the countries still do not allow returning Indians. Some countries said that they will allow conditional entry for those who have completed two doses of vaccination, although guidelines to that extent have yet been issued.
Mudam Nagabhushanam of Rajampet, who runs Alshifa Ahilya home medical care centre with 30 workers in Kuwait, came here last November to attend a marriage. Since then he has been stranded here. The centre is being looked after by 23 workers. "We look forward to allowing those who have completed two doses of vaccination to enter Kuwait. Permits will begin in the third week of this month and continue till the first week of September," he hoped.
Parveen Bibi from Kadapa, who works as a maid in a house in Kuwait, said, "I lost my job during corona. All house-owners discarded the services of maids. If I go back now, there are no flights to that country."
Divakar Oleti, who has an electronic gadgets shop in Kuwait, told Deccan Chronicle that his family members have been stranded in India, for over na year now. He said he hoped the Kuwaiti government would soon ease corona sanctions and allow Indians.
Venkat Koduri, convener, United Telugu Forum in Kuwait speaking to Deccan Chronicle said that they are in regular touch with Indian embassy officials and all the information regarding travel restrictions are passed on to our friends and relatives in India.
