Hyderabad: The Telugu Gulf Employees Welfare Association (TGEWA) in Iraq has asked the Centre to help in the identification of fake agents as well as arrange for the return of workers stuck in the country. The association said it was high time the Central and state governments take action against fraudsters.
Association volunteer Ramchander in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, said, “250 to 300 Telugu workers were brought to Iraq from Telangana state and Andhra Pradesh promising a good job and handsome money. Agents charge `1.5 lakh to `2 lakh from each worker and bring them to Iraq on a visit visa with the help of local lawyers and provide them good food and shelter initially. As soon as the workers realize that there is no job for them it is late as they are already victims of fraudsters.”
Another volunteer, Mr Dakshina Murthi, said cases of fraud with the workers are increasing rapidly. “We want the Indian government to identify these fraudsters. We urge the Centre to make arrangements for workers who are stuck in Iraq and Kurdistan in huge numbers. A mechanism should be brought in to keep an eye on such incidents.”
BJP Telangana Gulf Coordination Committee chairman T.R. Srinivas asked the Indian Consulate in Erbil to look into the matter of Telugu workers stuck in Iraq. He said, “To deal with such fraudsters is necessary as poor workers sell their gold and take loans to come to the Gulf in the hope that they can work and save money.”
