You are on page 1of 3

Current trend in labor migration from India to GCC countries in response to the changes & developments in the Persian

Gulf

Introduction
Migration and movement integral element in history of mankind ILO classified- settlement migration and contract migration, GCC under contract migration post 1970s oil boom, govt. used oil revenue for building infrastructure, housing and economy expansion Unskilled and low skilled labors , affected by labor markets in both destination & home countries

International Migration from India


Long history for trade and employment Until 2004 Ministry of labor now Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, 25million Indians overseas in 150 countries

Pattern of Indian Migration


Socio economic characters of population migrated & destination of migration Five patterns :* Indentured workers -plantation colonies in Mauritius, Jamaica, Trinidad, British Guyana, Caribbean, Oceania-abolished in 1920;*Kangani & Maistry to Malaysia and Sri Lanka( aft 1920 abolishment)- authorized Indian headmen recruits entire family and ship them to plantations(now stopped);*Free or passage migration to East Africa- skilled persons including white collar workers, technicians and trading class migrated to East and South Africa (now stopped);* Brain Drain type migration- voluntary migration of skilled professionals to Europe, Australia and North America; * Labor migration to Gulf

Current trends in Gulf migration


Workforce in GCC countries low, contract is of 2 years and then can be renewed for multiple times, skilled migrants accompany spouse and children Major characteristics: majority male, unskilled and semi skilled, single, temporary, construction sector, now female migration with change in family structure and status Arab families need domestic workers(AP, TN, Kerala, NCW age 30 years) Phases1976-1979: Beginning of out migration 1980-1983: Rapid growth 1984-1990: Declining growth (Gulf crisis) 1991-1994: Revival & intensified growth 1994-1997: Declining growth (restrictive policy, nationalization, mechanization, increased fee) 1998-2000: Steep decline (same as above) 2001-2003: Revival and moderate growth (diversification of economy eg UAE) 2008-2010: Steep fall (Global economic crisis, UAE worst hit) Post 2010: Revival (Dubai world expo 2020, world cup match in Doha etc)

Shifts in countries of destination by Indian Migrants in Gulf


harsh restrictions to keep them temporary but migrants keep flowing because of job opportunities and higher wages initially Asian Muslims from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh were allowed later on nonMuslims Qatar-92% foreign workers, Kuwait & Bahrain -80% UAE-85%, Oman-68%,Saudi Arabia50%(nationalization); 50.6% in GCC(1975),65.3%(2008) For Indian Saudi Arabia was hot stop which later on was replaced by UAE, top destinations are UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman Higher no. of Kerala migration related to social and kinship network among migrants, helps in getting job easily During recession, UP and Bihar gained labor market as they are willing to do menial jobs at less wages, long hours and low conditions. Since 2009,UP tops ECR clearance Keralites gained skilled,attained higher positions, moved out of ECR category Economic crisis led to reduction in migration flows and remittances globally Indians doing 3D jobs i.e. dirty, dangerous and difficult Nationalization of workforce in Gulf- out of fear of democratization (Arab Spring) and increasing unemployment rate(12.2% in SA in 2012) of local people, job quotas introduced in private sector in the name of Emiratization( Nitaqat (Naturalization) law in Saudi Arabia-

10% reservation in pvt. Employment sector comprising small and medium enterprises, labor inspectors and police officers conducting raids, 2 miilion foreign workers will lose job) Indian govt. taking initiative to rehabilitate them, Kerala state announces self employment scheme Legal Framework: Emigration Act of 1983 (1922)- Protector General of Emigrants (PGE), recruiting agents need to be registered(Sec 10), keep an eye on unscrupulous agents; Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF); Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana; Pension and Life Insurance Fund; Overseas Workers Resource Centre(New Delhi,24*7 helpline); Indian Workers Resource Centre(Dubai), individual laws of GCC countries

Conclusion
Over the years working conditions, wages, living conditions deteriorated, migration costs have increased, restrictions have also increased. Govt. should be equipped with rehabilitation plan, check illegal migration, repeal Emigration Act of 1983, human rights of workers, make laws more active and take care of Indian interest.

You might also like