1

ABSTRACT

Labour migration from Kerala to the Gulf countries and consequent inflow of remittances has
brought many changes in the economic and social life of the immigrant family and the
society as well. Regardless of the stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, almost every nation
found itself entangled in a web of drastic economic and social changes. The COVID-19
pandemic affected all sessions of people in our society, especially gulf migrants. The
COVID-19 pandemic has forced a whopping 8.7 lakh expatriates from Kerala to return home,
most of them from the Gulf. Many migrants in professional sectors who were shocked at the
sudden loss of their jobs were impacted psychologically. This created many socio economic
issues for them. Before COVID-19, a Gulf returnee without a job had only lost his economic
value. Today, the same unemployed NRI is not only ‘worthless’ but ‘dangerous’ to his own
family, friends and neighbours. “The very same people who used to celebrate his yearly visits
now perceive him as a disease-carrying agent.” The stigma is cruel and unprecedented. The
sudden fluctuation in their income greatly affected their economic security. The reduced
income significantly affected the lifestyle of the gulf returnees and their family, education of
their children etc. Gulf migrants are one of the pillars of Kerala economy. They make a
significant contribution to the GDP. Therefore economic issues of gulf returnees also affect
the economy of Kerala. This study shows the problems and challenges they encountered. In
this study researcher mainly focused among gulf returnees in the Kaniyapuram area in
Thiruvananthapuram, a geographical area where the majority of the families consist of gulf
returnees. The present study on gulf migrants returned due to COVID-19 outbreak in Kerala
particularly addresses economic and social issues. The absence of literature on incidents like
untimely reverse migrations signifies the importance of this study in the context of the
pandemic. In this context, it is vital to make an investigation into the problems of gulf
returnees and suggest solutions to improve the situation.

Key words: Labour migration,COVID-19,Pandemic,Immigrant,GDP,Stigma

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CHAPTER –I
Introduction
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INTRODUCTION
 Migration is an international phenomenon and it has been so from time immemorial. It is a
movement of people from one place of abode to another by crossing an administrative
boundary may be for the improvement of their standard of living. People may migrate on
grounds of employment or governments may encourage it as a means to solve the problem of
unemployment. Migration may be classified as internal or international and as voluntary or
forced. Voluntary migration is usually undertaken in search of a better life but forced
migrations include expulsions of people during war and the transference of slaves or
prisoners. Migration of people from one country to another is known as international
migration. The international migration at the beginning was mostly motivated by non-
economic reasons. However, the recent international labour migration especially at the end of
Second World War, has been motivated by economic reasons mainly the prospect of earning
higher wages and income abroad.       

  Migration has vast socio- economic and cultural implications both in the origin and in the
destination countries. The importance of international labour migration has increased
especially due to the huge foreign remittances involved in these migrations. The foreign
remittances is the largest source of external finance in the developing countries after foreign
direct investment and it helps these countries to generate foreign exchange earnings which in
turn increases the credit worthiness of these countries for external borrowing.

 Meaning of Migration

 Oxford dictionary defines ‘migration’ as the “movement of people to a new area or country
in order to find work or better living conditions''. Social, economic or political circumstances
change everywhere around the world and so does the need to move out. Thus, it results in
permanent or temporary shifts of people from one habitat to another. It can be within the
borders of a country (internal migration) or between countries (international migration).
Again, such a movement can take place in two different ways. Forced migration is the first
case caused by factors like political pressures, religious prosecutions, natural calamities, etc.,
and seeking refuge outside the place of origin. The second case of migration is voluntary in
nature being caused mostly by economic considerations like material gains employment
opportunities etc. Theodore Caplow (Caplow 1975:11) states that “Migration is strictly
speaking a change of residence and need not necessarily involve any change of occupation,
but it is closely associated with an occupational shift from kind to another''.

         In most general sense, the word ‘migration’ is defined as the relatively permanent
movement of the persons over a significant distance(Sillis 286: 41). A person goes to another
country and puts up there for the rest of his life is a migrant and one who pays a two-month
visit to the nearest country is not. Between these two extremes lies a puzzling area of
intermediate instances. But when we speak of migrant labor the connotation is not a
permanent move from one area to another, but rather a permanently migratory way of life
(Sillis: 286). According to National Sample Survey2008, a migrant is defined as “A
household member whose last usual place of residence, anytime in the past was different
from the present place enumeration was considered as a migrant member in a household’
’Migration is the results of the behaviour of individuals, but likewise it has a collective social
form (Skeldon 1997:18). Migration thus can be analysed at the individual or family level or at
the level of the broader social groups depending on what emphasis one gives to the key
determining factors.Migrants are agents whose actions do have consequences, either intended
or unintended upon social structure.
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 Migration from India

 International migration from India received a great stimulus since the mid-1970s as there
was a sudden rise in the flow of skilled, semi- skilled and unskilled workers to the Gulf
countries mainly to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain etc. This
sudden increase in the migration of workers from India to the Gulf was due to the emergence
of massive construction activities in these economies as a result of an unexpected increase in
income consequent upon the hike in the petroleum price. In this migration process, India has
been enjoying a prominent position and Indians the largest single expatriate community in all
the GCC countries

 Immigration Trends in Kerala

         There are many attempts by institutional agencies and researchers to estimate the
number of immigrants from Kerala to the Gulf countries which reveal that the number of
immigrants has been increasing constantly even if there is a decline in the rate of growth in
immigration to the Gulf region. As per one estimate, there were 1.86 lakhs Keralites in the
Gulf region in the year 1980, which increased to 2.30 lakhs in 1981. In 2000, the estimated
stock of immigration from Kerala to Gulf countries was 11.04 lakhs which was 35.75 percent
of the total immigrants from India to the Gulf countries. Another study showed that the
numbers of immigrants from Kerala to the Gulf countries were 21.93 lakhs in 2008 but a
recent study estimated the stock of immigrants from Kerala to the Gulf countries as 23.31
lakhs in 2011.

 District-wise Distribution of Immigrants

 Even though there are certain districts which have predominance in sending job seekers to
the Gulf countries, the northern districts like Malappuram, Kannur and Kozhikode account
nearly 40 percent of immigrants from Kerala to the Gulf region. Thrissur district alone
accounted for more than 19.3 per cent of the total immigrants from Kerala in 1980 while
Malappuram and Trivandrum accounted for about 17.6 and 10.9 per cent respectively and in
Thrissur district, Chavakkad region had the highest intensity of immigration and was
popularly known as ‘Mini Gulf’. However, in 1999, Malappuram district accounted for the
highest percentage of immigrants from Kerala (21 per cent) whereas the share of Thrissur
(11.8 per cent) and Trivandrum (9.6 per cent) came down significantly. As per one recent
study, Malappuram accounts for about 14.8 per cent, followed by Kannur 11.0 per cent,
Thrissur 9.7 per cent and Palakkad 9.7 per cent. The lowest contribution of Idukki (0.30 per
cent) in the immigration process from Kerala may be due to the fact that this is the major
plantation area of the state and also accounts for the highest percentage of tribal population.

  Migration for employment is an important global issue, which now affects most countries in
the world. Two major labor market forces are in operation today that result in increased
migration for work – many people of working age either cannot find employment or cannot
find employment adequate to support themselves and their families in their own countries,
while some other countries have a shortage of workers to fill positions in various sectors of
their economies. Other factors include demographic change, socio-economic and political
crises, and widening wage gaps within, as well as between, developed and developing
countries. There is consequently much movement across borders for employment, with
women independently migrating for work in considerably greater numbers than in the past
and now comprising about half of all migrant workers.
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COVID -19

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered

coronavirus (WHO).Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to
moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment.  Older people,
and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic
respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.

The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is to be well informed about the
COVID-19 virus, the disease it causes and how it spreads. Protect yourself and others from
infection by washing your hands or using an alcohol-based rub frequently and not touching
your face. The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge
from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it’s important that you also
practice respiratory etiquette (for example, by coughing into a flexed elbow).

COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Most infected people will develop mild
to moderate illness and recover without hospitalization

 Return Migration 

Ironically, Kerala, of late, is witnessing a reverse migration of labour. The flow of return
immigrants from Gulf countries to Kerala had occurred even before the COVID-19
pandemic. Over the last two decades, their lives were uncertain even in ‘normal’ times - jobs
were temporary in nature and salaries were fluctuating in the wake of the dip in oil prices.
The state has in the past witnessed a mass exodus of expatriates due to external shocks on
three occasions - Gulf war, global crisis and labour market nationalization policies like the
Nitaqat policy of Saudi Arabia. The current COVID-19 pandemic crisis is set to be the next
major shock which will lead to yet another spike in return migration into Kerala.

As predicted in 2013, the Kerala Migration Survey is showing a decline in immigration. The
total number of immigrants in 2013 was 24 lakh and it reduced to 21 lakh in the year 2018.
This recorded a decrease of around 12 per cent from 2013 to 2018. About 90 per cent of
Kerala migrants leave for the Gulf for temporary contract employment and the Gulf does not
provide citizenship and all of them have to return back to Kerala once their contract expires.
The number of return immigrants estimated by KMS 2018 is 12.95 lakh, about 60 per cent of
the number of immigrants. KMS 2018 has confirmed the trend that was observed in the last
round – that immigration from Kerala is falling and return migration is on the rise. The long
history of migration from Kerala to the Gulf is in its last phase. However, remittances to the
State have increased. This is due to the fact that Keralites in the gulf have climbed the social
ladder and are earning higher wages, allowing them to remit more.

As of May 3, 2020 there were 4.13 lakh migrants from Kerala stranded all over the world,
who registered through NORKA ROOTS to request a return back home along with an
additional 1.5 lakh migrants from other states in India. Among them, a little more than 61,000
have cited job losses abroad as the primary reason for return. This number is expected to
increase due to the change in working and living conditions in the Gulf region in the post
COVID period. Land and housing, consumption, education and health are all expected to
show changes due to the rise of return immigration. The changing trends in international
migration have serious consequences for Kerala.
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 EFFECT OF COVID19 PANDEMIC ON GULF RETURNEES IN KERALA

 Regardless of the stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, almost every nation found itself
entangled in a web of drastic economic and social changes. India, with one of the world’s
largest populations, has also experienced severe predicaments in containing the virus and its
impacts. In periods where Europe and The United States, for instance, experienced the peak
of the pandemic, the spread of Covid-19 had barely begun in India. Ultimately, despite
nation-wide efforts, the inflow of Indian non-residents (NRIs) to the country resulted in the
escalation of infection and mortality rates.

 The COVID-19 pandemic has forced a whopping 8.7 lakh expatriates from Kerala to return
home, most of them from the Gulf, since last May with a majority of 5.67 lakh citing job loss
as the reason for it, according to official data. The data from the Non-Resident Keralites
Affairs (NORKA) department showed that 1,11,151 of the 13,27,330 Keralites who came
back from other parts of the country also cited loss of jobs as the reason for their return. The
second biggest reason cited by the returnees (2.08 lakh) was their job visas. The rest include
senior citizens, or children, and family members of expats. Since May 2020, when travel was
allowed after the easing of the first COVID-19 lockdown, a total of 8,69,730 people returned
from overseas, the department said. Of those returning from within the country, the maximum
number of people returned from neighbouring Tamil Nadu (3.12 lakh), followed by
Karnataka (3.11 lakh) and Maharashtra (1.37 lakh).

In Kerala, Ernakulum had maximum number of returnees overall at 2,48,113, followed by

Thiruvananthapuram with 1,66,806, and Malappuram 1,43,709 and Kasaragod had the least
at 32,959 after Wayanad with 34,838 returnees. But among those returning from overseas,
Malappuram had the highest number at 1,40,931 followed by Kozhikode at 89,166 and
Thrissur at 86,887.Idukki had the lowest at 7,370. Malappuram with a larger concentration of
Muslim population has the highest penetration of families with expats in the Gulf region
followed by Kozhikode. Of those returnees from abroad, maximum (3.15 lakh) came through
the airport in Kochi followed by Kozhikode airport (2.58 lakh), Thiruvananthapuram (1.76
lakh) and Kannur airport (1.09 lakh).

The job losses of expatriates are not a good development for the state whose economy has
been heavily leaning onto remittances ever since the Gulf boom began in the 1960s. Among
the states, Kerala has the highest NRI deposits at around ₹93,000 crore in 2019 and the
government was expecting this to cross the ₹one lakh crore mark last year, though it has not
materialized due to the pandemic impact.

Before COVID-19, a Gulf returnee without a job had only lost his economic value. Today,
the same unemployed NRI is not only ‘worthless’ but ‘dangerous’ to his own family, friends
and neighbours. “The very same people who used to celebrate his yearly visits now perceive
him as a disease-carrying agent.” The stigma is cruel and unprecedented.

The situation in the Gulf is more terrifying. Our people are huddled together in cabins, the
infected and the healthy sharing the same space. They are staying on in the hope that their
companies will call them back or at least pay up their dues. Some are just waiting for that call
from NORKA confirming their ticket home. Those who have got back to their previous jobs
albeit with salary cuts are hardly eating three meals a day, let alone sending money home.
Most of their families have no clue of the suffering they are going through

 
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STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

  Kerala accounts for about two third of the Indian migrants to the Gulf countries in the year
1977 and even now the vast majority of immigrants from India to the Gulf countries are from
Kerala. Studies found that immigration from Kerala to the Gulf countries and consequent
inward flow of income in the form of remittances has been making dynamic changes in the
Kerala economy since 1970.The COVID-19 pandemic affected all sessions of people in our
society ,especially gulf migrants. Many migrants in professional sectors who were shocked at
the sudden loss of their jobs were impacted psychologically. They urged for an immediate
return to reunite with family in Kerala. Most expatriates who lost jobs (irrespective of type),
believe that it is better to return to India for many reasons. The COVID-19 pandemic forced
the migrants to return to their home. This created many socio economic issues for them. This
study found how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the lives of gulf returnees.

The present study is an attempt to understand the socio economic issues faced by gulf
returnees due to COVID-19 outbreak in kaniyapuram in Thiruvananthapuram district.

SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

 International labour migration from Kerala to the Gulf countries and consequent inflow of
remittances has brought many changes in the economic and social life of the immigrant
family and the society as well. The COVID 19 outbreak drastically affected gulf migrants.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced the migrants to return to their home .This affected almost
every aspect of their life. Often relatives, friends and neighbours of the gulf returnees treated
them as a threat to them. The very same people who used to celebrate his yearly visits now
perceive him as a disease-carrying agent. The stigma made very difficult for them to find a
new job here.The sudden fluctuation in their income greatly affected their economic security.
The reduced income significantly affected the lifestyle of the gulf returnees and their family,
education of their children etc. This study shows the problems and challenges they
encountered.By analysing these problems and challenges, various projects and schemes can
be formulated and implemented for helping gulf returnees and their family.

 Gulf migrants are one of the pillars of Kerala economy. They make a significant contribution
to the GDP. Therefore economic issues of gulf returnees also affect the economy of Kerala.
The upliftment of gulf returnees and their families from the crisis is very necessary to
strengthen the economy of Kerala. The absence of literature on incidents like untimely
reverse migrations signifies the importance of this study in the context of a pandemic.
 8

CHAPTER-II
Review of Literature
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REVIEW OF LITERATURE 
Since the mid-1990s, India has ranked as the top recipient of worker remittance (World Bank
2020)16. NRI remittances are a viable source of development revenue to the nation (Connell
and Brown 1995)4, especially to the state of Kerala (The Economic Times (2020)5

As per the International Migration Report 2020 by United Nations, two thirds of all
international migrants live in just 20 countries. The United States of America remained the
largest destination, hosting 51 million international migrants in 2020, equal to 18 per cent of
the world’s total. Germany hosted the second largest number of migrants worldwide, at
around 16 million, followed by Saudi Arabia (13 million), the Russian Federation (12
million) and the United Kingdom (9 million).19(a)

India topped the list of countries with the largest diasporas in 2020, with 18 million persons
from India living outside of their country of birth. Other countries with a large transnational
community included Mexico and the Russian Federation (11 million each), China (10
million) and Syria (8 million).19(b)

International migrants often make up a larger proportion of working-age persons compared to

the national population.  In 2020, 73 per cent of all international migrants were between the
ages of 20 and 64 years, compared to 57 per cent for the total population. In the absence of
international migrants, the ratio of persons aged 65 years or above per 100 persons aged 20 to
64 years, or old-age dependency ratio, in high-income countries would have been nearly 3
percentage points higher in 2020.19(c)

Migrant women are catalysts of change, promoting positive social, cultural and political
norms within their homes and throughout their communities. Nearly half of all international
migrants worldwide were women or girls.  In 2020, the number of female migrants slightly
exceeded male migrants in Europe, Northern America and Oceania, partially due to a higher
life expectancy of women over men.  In sub-Saharan Africa and Western Asia, males tend to
significantly exceed the number of females, which is attributed to temporary labour
migration.19(d)

COVID-19 has disrupted all forms of human mobility through the closing of national borders
and halting of travel worldwide. Preliminary estimates suggest that the pandemic may have
slowed the growth in the stock of international migrants by around two million by mid-2020,
27 per cent less than the growth expected since mid-2019.19(e)

Mr. Liu Zhenmin, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, said “The
report affirms that migration is a part of today’s globalized world and shows how the
COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the livelihoods of millions of migrants and their families
and undermined progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.”19(f)

Diasporas contribute to the development of their countries of origin through the promotion of
foreign investment, trade, access to technology and financial inclusion.  However, according
to projections by the World Bank, the COVID-19 pandemic may reduce the volume of
remittances sent to low-and middle-income countries from USD 548 billion in 2019 to USD
470 billion in 2021, a decline of USD 78 billion or 14 per cent. The loss has affected the
livelihoods of millions of migrants and their families, stalling progress in achieving the
Sustainable Development Goals. National strategies and international cooperation will be
needed to mitigate the effects of this loss. 19(g)
 10

Ernest Ravenstein is regarded as the earliest migration theorist. He assumed that migration is
closely connected with "push-pull" factor Both push factors such as low wages, high
unemployment rates, lack of health care etc. and pull factors such as high wages, low
unemployment etc., tend people towards leaving their countries of residence. In other words,
the primary cause for migration is better external economic opportunities. He (1885) put
forward the laws of migration in 1880.In his neoclassical approach to migration analysis, he
explains that most migrants travel short distances and proceed step by step. 'Longer distance
migrants' prefer to go to great centres of commerce or industry. Each stream of migration
produces a counter stream. According to his opinion, urban dwellers are less migratory than
people in rural areas and females are more migratory than males in international migration
whereas males are more common in international migration. Large towns owe more of their
growth to migration than natural increase. The volume of migration increases with the
development of industry, commerce and transport. Also, most of the people migrate from
agricultural areas to the centres of commerce and industry. The main causes of migration
given by Ravenstein are economical. Even though these basic laws have been discussed ,
systematized and expanded by a number of researchers, the importance of the economic
motive in the decision to migrate, the negative influences of distance and the role of step-
migration as suggested by him are some of the important features, which have not been
invalidated. 6

 Bogue's Push Pull Theory (1961) has long been the most important in migration. These Push
and Pull attribute to the communities of origin and destination are considered by Bogue as
independent migration variables, which account for the selectivity of certain groups.
Selectivity of out migrants from any community tends to vary directly with the strength of
attractive “Pulls” from other communities and inversely with expulsive “Pushes” from the
community itself. 3

 The Bureau of Economics and Statistics, Kerala (1975) prepared a paper about migratory
trends of Keralites from 1901. The net gain of population through migration for the period
between 1901 and 1931 was 48000. Though the out migration steadily increased from 1901,
during the decade 1931-1941, it declined. During the decade of 1941-1951, the state had a net
loss of about 13000 people due to outmigration. During the period 1951 and 1961, the state
had a net loss of 390000 persons due to migration. According to this paper, more than 82
percent of migrants from Kerala in 1961 moved to neighbouring states such as Tamil Nadu,
Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. Tamil Nadu topped the list as 43 percent opted
for the state. Other major destinations where Keralites migrated include Madhya Pradesh,
West Bengal and Delhi. 9

Based on employment, the Gulf’s Indian migrant workforce can be segmented as unskilled,
semi-skilled, and skilled. Reports claim that abject poverty is an attribute that compels
unskilled labour migration.( Edumundo, Jennica, and Marcin (2011) 7

According to Zachariah, Prakash, and Rajan (2002),  In the case of Kerala, some reasons for
the flow of the semi-skilled workforce are unemployment after graduation, relatives’
influence, and inspirations to acquire administrative positions. 18

The difference between other immigrants and Gulf-Indians are the perpetual anxieties of
transience and temporality that accompany the latter. (Menon and Karinkurayil, M.S) 12

 
 11

The research conducted by I.S Gulati and Ashok Modi (1983)131 revealed that one principal
factor that motivated migration from Kerala was the pressure of population on land. In 1981,
Kerala had 654 persons per sq km. as against the national average of 216. This has resulted in
the lowest workers participation rate in the country. In 1981, 31 percent of Kerala’s
population was in the workforce against the national average of 38 percent. Further Kerala
also had the highest employment rate in 1979.80. 25 percent of Kerala labour force was
unemployed as against the would be able to retain their share in the Middle East market or
even improve it only if they are flexible enough to cater to the changing pattern or skill
demand from that region. 8

 Prakash B.A (1998)137 stated that even though Keralites migrated to the Middle East in
large numbers, it made no adverse impact on output. Most of the migrated men were
unskilled or semi-skilled and also either unemployed or underemployed in Kerala. The
migrated underemployed was easily replaced by the surplus labour. The only sector in which
specific shortage of labour arose was in the construction industry. Demand for construction
workers increased as workers’ remittances were invested in new housing construction. This
increased demand and tightened supply of construction workers in Kerala prompted
migration of labour from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Prakash (1998) notes that
migration of Indians to The Gulf has come in four stages: - Beginning of Out-migration
(1976-1979), Rapid Growth (1980-1983), Declining Growth (1984-1990) and Revival and
Intensification of Growth (1991-1994) .13

Irudaya Rajan, S (2001) published a research study under the title ‘Impact of migration on
Kerala's economy and society’. The data for the study were collected from all the 14 districts.
The study attempted to measure emigration and return migration, the impact of the same on
Kerala’s demographic transition, economic scene and on women. According to this study, the
best estimate of the number of emigrants from Kerala in the second half of 1998 was 1.36
million. This included only those who have roots in Kerala. Arab countries of the Middle
East were the destination of 95% of the emigrants with Saudi Arabia alone according to
nearly 40% of the total. An estimate of the total cash remittances received by Kerala
households during a 12-month period in 1998 was 35,304 million. It is found that the
community status is very strongly associated with migration propensities. In case of
emigration, the migration propensity is 1.8 times the general average in the case of Muslims
and 1.3 times for Syrian Christians.11

Shylaja(2010) examined the impact of labour migration on the socio- economic and
demographic characteristics of the people in Kerala. The study was based on primary data
collected from both rural and urban areas of Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta and
Malappuram. She found that emigration has a very significant role in the change of large
families to small families. Moreover, the study also found that emigrant households have
maintained better hygienic and sanitary conditions, higher standard of living, and also
acquired more assets on account of the inflow of remittances. 14

Many blue-collar workers were asked to vacate their accommodations. These workers lived
on streets and survived off meals provided by Indian community groups. (Badam ,2020)2

 “Kerala is suddenly faced with the problem of reverse migration. Coming amidst the Covid
19 induced economic crisis, it is a serious challenge to deal with this situation for the state,”
Dr K N Harilal, (professor at the Centre for Development Studies (CDS), Trivandrum ). 1
 12

According to William Gois, Regional Coordinator of the Migrant Forum in Asia (MFA), a
regional network that looks into the rights of migrant workers, says extraordinary times call
for extraordinary measures. “There is a need to set up a transitional justice mechanism to
address grievances, claims and labour disputes of repatriated workers who have lost their jobs
as a result of the pandemic,” “For migrant workers in particular, the pandemic has heightened
pre-existing problems of wage theft. Some businesses have taken advantage of the pandemic
to unlawfully dismiss and withhold the wages of the migrant workers. Many workers return
home empty-handed, having been coerced into forgoing their wages and benefits, while
others continue to work under exploitative conditions and reduced wages for fear of losing
their livelihood in this climate of global economic recession,”10(a)

The current pandemic provides an opportunity to ensure that such systemic and structural
barriers are forever removed ( Mandha Bheem Reddy, Emigrants Welfare Forum)10(b)

The data from the Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NORKA) department as of Thursday also
showed that 1,11,151 of the 13,27,330 Keralites who came back from other parts of the
country also cited loss of jobs as the reason for their return. The second biggest reason cited
by the returnees (2.08 lakh) was their job visas. The rest include senior citizens, or children,
and family members of expats.Since May, when travel was allowed after the easing of the
first COVID-19 lockdown, a total of 8,69,730 people returned from overseas, the department
said. Of those returning from within the country, the maximum number of people returned
from neighbouring Tamil Nadu (3.12 lakh), followed by Karnataka (3.11 lakh) and
Maharashtra (1.37 lakh).Overall 21.89 lakh Keralites have come back to the state from
abroad and from within the country. Of those returning from abroad, 8,62,544 used the air
route to return, and 7,186 took the sea route.As many as 8,69,730 Keralites returned from
overseas between the first week of May and today (January 7). Of them, as many as 5,67,138
officially cited loss of job as the reason for returning, according to the NORKA. There were
40 lakh Keralites living/working abroad and 13.73 lakh elsewhere in the country. The state
has a resident population of 3.48 crore.16(a)

But S Irudaya Rajan, an expert on international migration, doesn't agree with the official
numbers, saying tens of thousands have already gone back to their places of work, some of
them even with new jobs. "I don't think the official numbers on the NORKA portal are true,
especially the job-loss figures. While the actual number of returnees could be true, the vast
majority of them citing job losses may not be factually correct,"there were about 25 lakh
Keralites in the Gulf nations and at best five lakh of them would have returned, yet that will
make it the highest in the past 50 years.There are one crore Indians in the six of the most
migrant-friendly Gulf nations. Even during the Kuwait or Iraq wars, the numbers of people
who were forced out were far fewer.16(b)

According to Irudaya Rajan, professor, Centre for Development Studies, Trivandrum, it is not
the first time that Malayali NRIs in the Gulf are being forced to return. “We had the Iraq-
Kuwait invasion in the 1990s, the enforcement of the Nitaqat law in Saudi Arabia and the
recessions in Dubai – all of which caused scores of Malayalis to return. Also, the concept of
‘return’ is a certainty for all Gulf Malayalis. Unlike in the West, these countries do not offer
permanent resident status. So even if he has worked there for 30 to 40 years, he still has to
return.”And yet, the Gulf was and still is the Malayali’s preferred choice of destination.
According to CDS’s research, nine out of ten Malayali immigrants are in the Gulf.15(a)
 13

According to Dr Varghese Punnoose, head of department of psychiatry, Alappuzha Medical

College. The idea of re-migration can stem from a sense of denial. Those above 50 years of
age tend to be realistic but the young are stuck in wishful thinking – they have loans to pay,
they are needy and cannot imagine settling for less than what they were used to. To escape
the anxiety and the bleakness, they shut down and focus on re-migration. ”Before COVID-19,
a Gulf returnee without a job had only lost his economic value. Today, the same unemployed
NRI is not only ‘worthless’ but ‘dangerous’ to his own family, friends and neighbours. “The
very same people who used to celebrate his yearly visits now perceive him as a disease-
carrying agent.” The stigma is cruel and unprecedented.15(b)
 14

CHAPTER-III
Research Methodology

1. Title of study
 15

Socio economic issues faced by gulf returnees in Kaniyapuram due to COVID-19 outbreak.

2. General objectives

To study the Socio economic issues faced by gulf returnees in Kaniyapuram due to COVID
19 outbreak

3. Specific objectives 
(a) To study the socio-demographic profile of gulf returnees.
(b) To understand the household income of gulf returnees.
(c) To understand socio economic needs and problems of gulf returnees.
(d) To understand how the gulf returnees manage to cope with the socio economic
problems they experience.
4. Definition

Conceptual definition

Migration: - Movement of people to a new area or country in order to find work or better
living conditions.                                                                    -   The Oxford dictionary

Immigration: - Immigration is the act of leaving one's resident country with the intent to
settle elsewhere.                                             

                                                                                                      -    The Oxford dictionary

Socio-economic factors: - Socio-economic factors are lifestyle components and

measurements of both financial viability and social standing.                               -  BBC

 COVID-19 :- Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly

discovered coronavirus.

                                                                                                   - WHO

Operational definition

Migration: - Migration is a form of geographical mobility from one place to another

permanently or semi- permanently.

Immigrants: - A person who leaves their own country in order to settle in another.

 Socio-economic factors: - These are any variable which arises from culture, environment,
community, family, organisation, society, the state, the media, technology, religion,
ideology,, language, communication, and which influences the individual to think and act in a
certain way. 

COVID-19- Coronaviruses are a type of virus .It is a newly identified coronavirus, SARS-
CoV-2, has caused a worldwide pandemic of respiratory illness, called COVID-19.
 16

5 Design of research 

Descriptive study is the design of research, which is conducted using survey method.
Descriptive research is a study designed to depict the participants in an accurate way. It is
also a method which depicts the characteristics of the population selected. The methodology
mainly spotlights the “What” rather than the ‘Why” of the research subject. Quantitative
method is used to collect data by making use of a questionnaire which enables the researcher
to quantify the data. Data collected is described by presenting the details as tables, charts,
summary statistics and an informal interpretation 

6 Universe of study

Kaniyapuram in Thiruvananthapuram district is chosen as the universe of study.

 
7 Sampling strategy

Purposive sampling, also known as judgmental, selective or subjective sampling, is a type of

non-probability sampling technique. Non-probability sampling focuses on sampling
techniques where the units that are investigated are based on the judgement of the researcher .
purposive sample is a non-probability sample that is selected based on characteristics of
population and the objective of the study. 
Kaniyapuram is a geographical area where majority of the families consist of gulf returnees.
Respondents were identified from all four wards in Kaniyapuram.

8 Sample size 

40 members from the gulf returnee population in Kaniyapuram.

9 Tools of data collection – Questionnaire

10 Source of study

Primary source :- The information is yielded primarily from a questionnaire designed by the
researcher 
Secondary source :- The supportive information for supplementing the study is obtained from
texts, journals and online editors

11 Pilot study

Pilot study is the trial study carried out before a research design is finalized. It is done to test
the feasibility, reliability and validity of the proposed study design. It helps in providing the
groundwork in a research project. 

Three respondents were identified from alumoodu ward and data was collected from them
through questionnaire/interview schedule.  The information gathered was processed and the
feasibility of the study was ascertained.

12 Pretest 
 17

Pretest is to check the effectiveness of the tool of study questionnaire by using it on a small
sample of respondents before taking up the full-scale research work. It is to find out whether
there are any problems like unclear wording in the questionnaire or the questionnaire is
taking too long to administer. Pretesting also helps the researcher identify questions which
don’t make sense to participants or problems with the questionnaire that might lead to biased
answers. 

The testers were the same respondents identified for pilot study. The result was satisfactory
indicating that there was no necessity to improve or change the questionnaire 

13 Variables

A variable is any characteristic, number, or quantity that can be measured or counted. A

variable may also be called a data item. Age, sex, annual income and expenses, marital status,
type of ration card, educational qualification, number of family members, and number of
working individuals in family are examples of variables.

14 Limitations of study
Due to covid-19 pandemic data collection was done online. This limited the opportunity of
observation. The credibility of the information provided by the respondents as such cannot be
ascertained.
15 Chapter-wise compilation

The entire research work runs into five chapters, as shown below

CHAPTER I – INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER II - REVIEW OF LITERATURE

CHAPTER III - RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

CHAPTER IV - ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

CHAPTER IV - FINDINGS, SUGGESTIONS AND CONCLUSION

 
 18

CHAPTER-IV
ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

Analysis and interpretation

 19

Table 4.1 Shows the Age wise distribution of the respondent

Age No, of respondents percentage

group

20-25 10 25.00

26-30 11 27.50

31-35 9 22.50

36-40 2 05.00

Above 40 8 20.00

Table 4.1 shows that 27.50% of the respondents are of the age group 26-30, 25% of the
respondents are the age group 20-25, 22.50% are between 31-35, 0.5%of the respondents are
between 36-40, 20% of the respondents are above 40. From this we can see that  there are
people of all ages working in the gulf countries and they returned from gulf due to COVID-
19.

Table .4.2  sex of the respondent

Gende No,of respondents Percentage

r

Femal 7 17.50
e

Male 33 82.50

Table 4.2 shows that 82% of the respondents are male and 17.5% of the respondents . It gives
the finding that availability of gulf returnees are male population.
 20

Fig 4.1 Educational qualification of respondents

Fig 4.1 shows that 5% of the respondents have only education below SSLC. It gives the
findings that most of the gulf returnees have primary education. 58% of the respondents are
graduates or post graduates. 19.5% of the respondents have higher secondary education, 7.3%
of the respondents have ITI. It gives the findings that above 50% of the gulf returnees have
higher education.
 21

Fig 4. 2 Marital status of the respondents

Fig 4.2 shows that 62% of the respondents are married, 37.5% of the respondents are
unmarried. This gives the finding that marriage have a significant influence in migration to
gulf countries.
 22

Fig 4.3 Ration card of the respondents

Fig 4.3 shows that above 57% of respondents have either white card or blue card, 37.5% of
the respondents have pink card, 5% of the respondents have yellow card. This gives the idea
that above 50% of respondents are above the poverty line

Table 4.3  No,of members in respondent’s house

No,of members No,of respondents percentage

1-3 5 12.50

4-6 31 77.50

7-9 3 7.50

Above 9 1 2.50

Table 4.3 shows that 77% of respondents have 4 to 6 family members living in their house,
12% of the respondents have 1-3 family members 7.5% of the respondents have 7-9
members, 2.5% of the respondents have more than 9 family members. It gives the finding that
three-quarters of gulf returnees have either nuclear family or joint family.
 23

Fig 4.4  Shows the type of  job respondent have in gulf country

Fig 4.4 shows that 39% of respondents work in each skilled and unskilled labour, 22% of the
respondents are entrepreneurs. This gives the finding that three-quarters of the gulf returnees
work in skilled or unskilled labour settings.
 24

Table 4.4 shows the period of time respondent working in gulf country

Period of time(in years) No,of respondent percentage

0-3 30%
12

4-6 11 27.50%

9
7-10 22.50%

8 20%
More than 10 years

 
Table 4.4 shows that 20% of respondents are working in gulf countries for more than 10
years, 22.5% of the respondents are working in gulf countries for 7-10 years, 27.5% of the
respondents are working for 4-6 years, 30% of the respondents working for 0-3 years. This
gives the finding that most gulf returnees are not interested in working in gulf for so long. 
 25

Fig 4.5  Shows the annual income of the respondents.

Fig 4.5 shows that 55% of the respondents have annual income between one lakh and three
lakhs, 17.5% of the respondents have annual income 3-5 lakh, 17% of the respondents have
income more than 5 lakh, 10% of the respondents have income below 1 lakh. This gives a
basic  idea about the economic stability of the family of gulf migrants. 

Table 4.5 shows whether the respondent’s resident house is their own.

Ownership of the resident No, of respondent percentage

house 

Own house  27 67.50%

Not own  13 32.50%

Table 4.5 shows that 67% of respondents have their own house, 32.5% of the respondents do
not have their own house. This gives an idea about the economic status of the gulf returnees.
 26

Table 4.6 shows the No, of working individual in the family other than respondents 

No, of working individual No, of respondents percentage

No one 20 50%

1-3 19 49%

4-6 1 1%

Table 4.6 shows that 50% of the respondents are the only working individual of their family,
49% of the respondents have 1-3 working individuals in their family, 1% of the respondent
have 4-6 working individuals in their family. It gives an idea about the income source of the
gulf migrant’s family.

Fig 4.6 shows whether family income of the respondent is sufficient to meet the expenditure
of the family.

  
Fig 4.6 shows that family income of 52.5% of the respondent is sufficient to meet the
expenditure of the family. But there is a considerable number of respondents (47.5%) whose
 27

income in not sufficient to meet expenditure. It gives an idea about the economic condition of
gulf returnees.

  

. 

Table 4.7 shows the details of who had borne the quarantine expenditure

Name of the body  No of respondents  Percentage

Respondent himself  38 95%

Government 1 2.50%

Others 1 2.50%

Table 4.7 shows that 95% of the respondent himself bore the quarantine expenditure,
quarantine expenditure of 2.5% of the respondents are borne by govt, expenditure of 2.5% are
borne by other bodies. From this data we can interpret that most of the gulf returnees have
borne the quarantine expenses by themselves. It shows that government interventions were
not that much effective. 
 28

Fig 4.7 shows if the cost of quarantine was borne by the respondent himself, whether it is
affordable.

Fig 4.7 shows that quarantine expenditure is affordable to 80% of the respondents. It gives
the findings that quarantine expenditure is affordable to most of the gulf returnees. For a
considerable number of respondents (20%) quarantine expenditure is not affordable.
 

Table 4.8 Shows financial obligation of the respondent.

Options  No of respondents  Percentage 

Have financial obligation 22 55%

No financial obligation 18 45%

Table 4.8 shows that 55% of the respondents have financial obligation.
 29

Considerably 45% of respondents do not have any financial obligation . It represents that

more than half of the respondents are facing financial issues.

Fig 4.8 Shows the approach of the acquaintance towards the respondents.

Fig 4.8 shows that the approaches of acquaintances of 82.5% of respondents are healthy.
There is a considerable number of (17.5%) respondents who experienced an unhealthy
approach from their acquaintance. It indicates the existence of a considerable amount of
stigma in the society. 

Table 4.9 shows whether the respondents have registered in NORKA. 

Option No, of Percentage

respondents

Registered 23 57.50

Not registered 17 42.50

Fig 4.9 shows that 57.50% of respondents have registered in NORKA and 42.50% of
respondents have not registered in NORKA .It indicates that around half of gulf returnees are
neither aware nor the schemes are  influential.
 30

Fig 4.9 shows whether respondents have got rightful benefits from NORKA

Fig 4.9 shows that 64.7 % of respondents have not received rightful benefits from NORKA.
This indicates that services of NORKA are not reaching more than half of beneficiaries
effectively and efficiently. 

Table 4.10 shows whether the respondents are satisfied with the services provided by
NORKA in covid-19 pandemic.  

Response No, of respondents Percentage

Satisfied 15 42.86%

Not satisfied 20 57.14%

Table 4.10 shows that 42.86% of respondents are satisfied with the services provided by
NORKA. But 57.14% percentages of respondents are not satisfied with the services provided
by NORKA. This gives the findings that a service by NORKA is not very much beneficial to
the gulf returnees.
 31

Fig 4.10 shows whether the respondents were working or self-employing here after returned
from gulf country

Fig 4.10 shows that 30% of respondents are working here, after returned gulf country.But
70% of respondents are not working here.This indicates that most of the gulf returnees are
disinclined to work here and they are hoping that they can return to the gulf very soon.

Table 4.11 shows working respondents whether satisfied with the job.

Response No, of respondents Percentage

Satisfied 9 31.03%

Not satisfied 20 68.97%

Table 4.11 shows that 31.03% respondents are satisfied with the jobs they have here. But
68.97% of respondents are not satisfied with the job they have here. This indicates that more
than half of gulf returnees are not satisfied with the job they have here.

Fig 4.11 shows whether the respondents want to return to gulf country after the pandemic is
over.
 32

Fig 4.11 shows that 90% of the respondents want to return to gulf country after the pandemic
is over. But significantly 10% did not want to return. This data indicate that most of the gulf
returnees want to return to gulf after the pandemic is over. 
 33

CHAPTER-V
Findings, suggestions and conclusion

5.1 Findings.
On the basis of the study conducted, the main findings are
 34

1. There are people in all age groups working in gulf countries. And they all are affected
by COVID-19 pandemic.
2. Men ratio of gulf returnees is higher in Thiruvananthapuram district even though there
are female gulf returnees.
3. Most of the gulf returnees have primary education. And more than half have higher
educational qualification. This shows issues of unemployment or underemployment in
Kerala. 
4. More than half of gulf migrants are married. This shows that marriage has a
significant role in gulf migration.
5. Half of the respondents are above the poverty line. This indicates that gulf migration
uplifted their economic status.
6. Three-quarters of gulf migrants are working in skilled or unskilled labour settings.
The entrepreneurship among gulf migrants is comparatively low.
7. Most of the gulf migrants are not interested in working in gulf countries for so long.
8. About 55% of the gulf migrants have an annual income between one lakh and three
lakhs. Only 10% of migrants have annual income less than one lakh. The attractive
remuneration is one of the influential factors of gulf migration. And almost 70% gulf
migrants have their own house.
9. In almost half of gulf returnee’s family income is not sufficient to meet family
expenditure. One of the reasons for that is, they are the only ones working in almost
half of expat families.
10. Quarantine expenses of almost three-quarter of the gulf returnees are beared by
themselves. For most of them it was affordable. From this we can infer that quarantine
expenses in Kerala is not so much  expensive.
11. 70% of the gulf returnees are disinclined to work here and they are hoping they can
return very soon. Unlikeness to work here, changed lifestyle and social status,
insufficiency of income to cover expenditure, all these contribute to gulf returnee’s
financial obligations and economic issues.  
12. There is a considerable number of respondents who experienced an unhealthy
approach from their acquaintance. It indicates the existence of a considerable amount
of stigma in the society. 
13. Around half of gulf returnees are neither aware of NORKA nor the schemes
are influential.
 35

14. Services of NORKA are not reaching more than half of beneficiaries effectively and
efficiently. And it is inadequate to cover all the obstacles of gulf returnees in this
pandemic.
15. Most of the gulf returnees want to return to the gulf after the pandemic is over. This
shows how much the gulf countries are helping their livelihood.

5.2 Suggestions

1. Awareness should be given to gulf returnees about the services and benefits from
NORKA.
2. The schemes of NORKA should be revised to come up with adequate intervention.
3. Government should take necessary procedures and steps for the gulf returnees to
enhance their socio-economic development through establishing new schemes
and providing them with proper benefits as they contribute more to India's GDP.
4. Currently there are only few migration information centres available in the major
cities and such information centres should be set up in the needy areas.
5. Proper awareness should be given to people about the pandemic and gulf returnees to
prevent stigma in the society   
6. Government and NGOs should implement new programmes to overcome
unemployment and underemployment issues.
7. Government should conduct a study in depth to understand the issues and needs of
gulf returnees in this pandemic and should take adequate measures.
8. Government and NGOs should come up with schemes to encourage self-start-up for
gulf returnees and their families.

5.3 CONCLUSION 
 36

The findings of this Research on socio economic issues faced by gulf returnees due to
COVID-19 outbreak in Kaniyapuram in Thiruvananthapuram District are quite relevant for
any other place  in Kerala. Studies on this issue are very limited, but deserve special
attention, an in depth study and immediate and far reaching interventions.  The suggestions
rendered by the researcher are very valuable. It is our hope that this research study will help
the NORKA, India Centre for Migration(ICM), People’s representatives, District
Administrations, Official of Government Departments, NGOs and Migrants welfare
Organizations, who are responsible for the welfare of gulf returnees, to Coordinate their
activities to ensure rehabilitation and empowerment of gulf returnees and their family.

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 37

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Appendix
Questionnaire 
 40

Questionnaire For Understanding Socio economic issues faced by gulf returnees due to covid
19 outbreak in Kaniyapuram in Thiruvananthapuram District

ഞാൻ മുഹ്സിൻ ജെ. ഞാൻ അവസാനവർഷ നാഷണൽ കോളേജിലെ

Social Work വിദ്യാർത്ഥിയാണ്. എന്റെ അവസാനവർഷ പ്രോജക്റ്റിന്റെ
ഭാഗമായാണ് ഈ ചോദ്യാവലി നിങ്ങളിലേക്ക് ഞാൻ അയച്ചുതരുന്നത്.
നിങ്ങൾ തരുന്ന വിവരങ്ങൾ തികച്ചും എൻ്റെ പഠനാവശ്യങ്ങൾക്ക്
മാത്രമേ ഉപയോഗിക്കുകയുള്ളൂ. നിങ്ങളുടെ വ്യക്തിപരമായ
വിവരങ്ങൾ എന്നും സുരക്ഷിതമായിരിക്കും.

നിങ്ങളുടെ വിവരങ്ങൾ മറ്റു വ്യക്തികൾക്കോ മറ്റെന്തെങ്കിലും

ആവശ്യങ്ങൾക്കോ ഉപയോഗിക്കില്ല എന്ന് ഞാൻ ഉറപ്പു നൽകുന്നു.

1.വയസ്സ് :
o      20-25
o      26-30
o      31-35
o      36-40
o      40 ന് മുകളിൽ

2.ലിംഗം :
o      സ്ത്രീ
o      പുരുഷൻ
o      transgender
o      മറ്റുള്ളവ

3.വിദ്യാഭ്യാസ യോഗ്യത: 
    10 ക്ലാസ് ന് താഴെ
o
o SSLC
o ഹയർ സെക്കൻഡറി
o ഐടിഐ
o പോളിടെക്‌നിക്
o ബിരുദം
o ബിരുദാനന്തര ബിരുദം
o ബിരുദാനന്തര ബിരുദത്തിനു മുകളിൽ

4.വൈവാഹിക നില :
അവിവാഹിതർ
o
o വിവാഹിതർ
o വിവാഹ ബന്ധം വേർപെടുത്തിയവർ
o പിരിഞ്ഞ് താമസിക്കുന്നവർ

5.റേഷൻകാർഡ്: 
 41

o വെള്ള കാർഡ്
o നീല കാർഡ്
o പിങ്ക് കാർഡ്
o മഞ്ഞ കാർഡ്

6.വീട്ടിലെ ആംഗങ്ങളുടെ എണ്ണം? 

o 1-3
o 4-6
o 7-9
o 9 ന് മുകളിൽ

7.ഏത് തരം തൊഴിലാണ് താങ്കൾ ഗൾഫിൽ ചെയ്യുന്നത്? 

 വിദഗ്ധ ജോലി
 അവിദഗ്ധ ജോലി
 സംരംഭകൻ

8.എത്ര നാളായി താങ്കൾ ഗൾഫിൽ ജോലി ചെയ്യുന്നു? 

 0-3 വർഷം
 4-6 വർഷം
 7-10 വർഷം
 10 വർഷത്തിന് മുകളിൽ

9.താങ്കളുടെ വാർഷിക വരുമാനം എത്ര? 

o 1 ലക്ഷത്തിന് താഴെ
o 1-3 ലക്ഷം രൂപ വരെ
o 3-5 ലക്ഷം രൂപ വരെ
o 5 ലക്ഷം രൂപയ്ക്ക് മുകളിൽ

10.നിങ്ങൾ താമസിക്കുന്ന വീട് നിങ്ങളുടെ സ്വന്തമാണോ? 

 അതേ
o അല്ല 
11.നിങ്ങളുടെ കുടുംബത്തിൽ താങ്കൾ അല്ലാതെ മറ്റാരെങ്കിലും
തൊഴിൽചെയ്യുന്നുണ്ടോ?
o ഉണ്ട്
o ഇല്ല 

12.ഉണ്ടെങ്കിൽ, എത്ര പേർ?

o 1-3
o 4-6
o 6 ന് മുകളിൽ
 42

13.കുടുംബ വരുമാനം ചിലവുകൾ നിർവഹിക്കാൻ പര്യാപ്തമാണോ? 

o ആണ്
o അല്ല 

14.താങ്കളുടെ Quarantine ചിലവുകൾ വഹിച്ചത് ആരാണ്? 

o ഞാൻ സ്വയം
o സർക്കാർ
o മറ്റുള്ളവ

15.Quarantine ചിലവുകൾ വഹിച്ചത് താങ്കളാണെങ്കിൽ,അത് നിങ്ങൾ

താങ്ങാനാവുന്നത് ആയിരുന്നോ?
o ആയിരുന്നു
o അല്ലായിരുന്നു

16.താങ്കൾക്ക് ഏതെങ്കിലും വിധത്തിലുള്ള സാമ്പത്തിക ബാധ്യതകൾ

ഉണ്ടോ? 
o ഉണ്ട്
o ഇല്ല 

17.താങ്കൾ ഗൾഫിൽ നിന്ന് വന്നപ്പോൾ താങ്കളുടെ പരിചയക്കാർക്ക്

താങ്കളോട് ഉണ്ടായ സമീപനം എങ്ങനെ ആയിരുന്നു? 
o നല്ല സമീപനം
o മോശം സമീപനം

18.താങ്കൾ NORKA യിൽ രജിസ്റ്റർ ചെയ്തിട്ടുണ്ടോ? 

o ഉണ്ട്
o ഇല്ല 

19.ഉണ്ടെങ്കിൽ,താങ്കൾക്ക് NORKA യിൽ നിന്നും കോവിഡ്-19

സാഹചര്യത്തിൽ അവകാശപ്പെട്ട ആനുകൂല്യങ്ങൾ കിട്ടിയിരുന്നോ?
o കിട്ടി
o ഇല്ല 

20.NORKA യുടെ ഭാഗത്തു നിന്ന് കോവിഡ് 19 സാഹചര്യത്തിൽ ലഭിച്ച

സേവനങ്ങളിൽ നിങ്ങൾ സന്തുഷ്ടരാണോ?
o ആണ്
o അല്ല 

21.ഗൾഫിൽ നിന്നും വന്ന ശേഷം ഇവിടെ തൊഴിലോ സ്വായംസംരംഭമോ

താങ്കൾ ചെയ്യുന്നുണ്ടോ? 
 43

o ഉണ്ട്
o ഇല്ല 

22.ഉണ്ടെങ്കിൽ, അതിൽ നിങ്ങൾ സന്തുഷ്ടരാണോ?

o ആണ്
o അല്ല 

23.ഈ കോവിഡ്19 സാഹചര്യം മാറിയാൽ താങ്കൾ ഗൾഫിൽ

തിരിച്ചുപോകാൻ ആഗ്രഹിക്കുന്നുണ്ടോ? 
o ഉണ്ട്
o ഇല്ല