NANDHIVARMAN OPINES

NEW YEAR BONANZA FOR EMIGRANTS

[Arun Kumar Das of The Times of India is a senior journalist. I met him in the residence of Comrade George Fernandes. The occassion was a Book Release function at Krishna Menon Marg New Delhi in the period when George was not the Defence Minister. Arun Kumar Das came with a banian with the picture of postal stamp in remembrance of Periyar E.V.Ramasamy. It seems the postal department had printed the stamp picture and had given to journalists when stamp was issued. Being a Periyarite Mr.Arun Kumar Das took pride in wearing that years after it was given. Such a person writing in The Times of India[2.01.2006] says:

Emigrant workers seeking the good life abroad can now expect a better deal back home as well. Under a new policy to be announced this month, the Union Government is all set to provide them a few benefits, including increased insurance cover, emergency medical relief, refund of repatriation and legal costs, the maternity benefits. However workers will be eligible for all these benefits only if they have obtained emigration clerance from the protector of emigrants, a Department under Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs.
The objective is to encourage people to seek employment abroad through legal channels and discourage them from taking illegal route., says a senior ministry official.
Currently an emigrant worker gets Rs 2 lakh as insurance cover, the sum will go upto 5 lakhs from 2006.The emigrant will also be eligible for Rs 50,000 as emergency medical relief in case of heart attack, kidney failure or cancer, provided the case is certified by the embassy concerned. If the workers repatriation is within 2 years, then his entire cost would be covered by the government. Earlier this was valid only for 3 months. The worker would also be given Rs 25,000 as legal expenses, in case there is a dispute with the employer.
Every year about four to five lakh people go abroad seeking jobs. They account for the bulk of foreign remittances. The amount was Rs 96,000 crore in the last financial year and we are expecting it to touch Rs 1,00,000 crore this time., said the official. Those who go through illegal channels  send money through hawala channels and the government does not get anything. His advice to prospective immigrants: Dont go through touts unless you want to risk harassment, deportation or
worse.

Dravida Peravai welcomes these decisions of the Union Government but wishes to point out in view of handling few cases in the past that our embassies abroad dont have men with a heart or patriotic fellings towards fellow citizens.Let a free legal aid cell be instituted in countries where in large numbers Indian emigrants are at work.
Let India follow what Singapore’s Labour Ministry does by way of e-governance.
N.Nandhivarman General Secretary Dravida Peravai