Telangana: Protect interests of migrant workers

Hyderabad: Stating that the recent circulars issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reducing minimum referral wages (MRW) by 30 to 50 per cent was a cause for concern, Municipal Administration & Urban Development Minister KT Rama Rao on Tuesday urged the MEA Minister S Jaishankar to protect the interests of migrant workers.

The MEA had issued the circular fixing minimum referral wages (MRWs) in different countries. The MRW in Bahrain, Oman and the UAE is $200 and in Saudi Arabia, it is $ 324. Similarly, MWR in Qatar is $200. In Kuwait, it is $ 245 for work visa holders in Kuwait and $196 for domestic workers.

KTR took to Twitter and said, "the recent circulars issued by MEA reducing Minimum Referral Wages by 30-50%, as reported, are a cause for huge concern, as wages of lakhs of migrant workers from Telangana working in the Gulf countries will get adversely impacted. Already there is considerable distress among all migrant workers due to wage losses as a result of Covid and lockdowns. I request you to use your good offices to ensure that our migrant workers' interests are protected and urge you to take up the matter at the earliest."

Professional skilled workers get between 800 and 1,700 Dirhams (Rs 15,000 to Rs 34,000). As per the circular, the skilled and unskilled workers would also get Rs 15,000, which means it is deducted by 50 per cent. Migrated workers have alleged that the government did not consider the deceiving tactics by the Gulf employers. They are demanding withdrawal of the circular.

MINIMUM REFERRAL WAGES

Bahrain, Oman and the UAE $200

Saudi Arabia $ 324

Qatar $200

In Kuwait

Work visa holders $ 245

Domestic workers $196