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India to hold talks with UAE if residency cap is introduced

DUBAI — India will initiate dialogue with the UAE Labour Ministry if it plans to implement the proposed residency cap that will restrict unskilled labourers from working in the country for more than six years, Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi said.

UAE Minister of Labour Dr Ali bin Abdullah Al Ka’abi said recently that his ministry is mulling implementing the residency cap for unskilled workers proposed by Bahrain for all GCC countries.

Addressing the media yesterday at the Indian consulate here, Vayalar Ravi said: “The UAE has informed us about the proposed residency ceiling. The country has not confirmed its implementation. If at all the UAE authorities go ahead with it, we will initiate different measures including dialogue. “We are monitoring the situation. If the UAE government decides to implement the cap, we will examine ways to safeguard the interest of our workforce.”

He said India would launch a media campaign from November 1 to create awareness about overseas jobs among the workers. The campaign will be through the regional and national newspapers and television channels.

“We are planning a welfare programme for the people returning from abroad after spending a specified time. We are currently working on the project which will rehabilitate the needy expatriates when they return home . This will be a membership-based programme. An announced will be made soon,” Ravi said.

He described his meeting with the UAE Labour Minister on Monday as “fruitful”. “We will work together to achieve common goals set by the memorandum of understanding signed by both countries on the welfare of workers. Periodical meetings of officials from both countries will be held to evaluate the developments,” Ravi said.