Coronavirus: Stranded expat workers in UAE seek help to go home

Stranded expat workers in the UAE, many of them who lost their jobs, urged their governments to take urgent steps to enable their repatriation.  

While Pakistani expatriates welcomed the special flights initiative by the UAE and Pakistani governments, their appeal to the Pakistan government is to reconsider high ticket prices, which they are unable to pay after losing jobs or availing unpaid leaves. Indian expats stare at an uncertain future as a total lockdown continues in their home country.
Also read: Pakistanis in UAE concerned about ticket price for special flights
Talking to Khaleej Times, workers who lost their jobs said they are surviving without any earnings and it's impossible for them to bear expenses of accommodation, utilities and food.

"We will request the authorities concerned to take up our cases on humanitarian basis and arrange special flight with a reasonable discount on tickets," one of the stranded Pakistan workers said.

Currently, more than 40,000 people have registered with the Pakistan Consulate in Dubai for repatriation. It includes over 10,000 overseas Pakistanis who were rendered jobless because of the coronavirus outbreak.        

"The UAE Government brought stranded Emiratis back to their country free of charge. We appeal Prime Minister Imran Khan to rationalise the airfare for those Pakistani workers who lost jobs and are returning to the country," said Faeza Hussain.

"How can a jobless person, leaving with a family, afford Dh1,500 per seat for a one-way travel on these special flights?" Hussain asked.

Waseem Abbas, a resident of Dubai, said he had been trying to get a ticket for the last one month but got no response from the airlines and the authorities concerned.

"I want to go to Pakistan as I have no savings to stay here without a job," he said.

Sajid Iqbal, who used to work in a limousine company, said he has no food left to survive.

"I have medical expenses and some other problems as well. I appreciate the initiative of special flights and will consider myself lucky if I get a chance to be on board as soon as possible," Iqbal said.

Another worker who lost his job said he is stranded with nine other unemployed people in one room. "I want to return home to see my family as soon as possible," he said.

Muhammad Nizam Uddin Khan said he has pinned high hopes on special flights to return home at the earliest. "I am also a Pakistani citizen. I have lost my job in the UAE and now want to go back home," Khan said.

Indian national Gurupal Singh was employed with a general contracting company, which ran into losses. Singh hasn't been paid for months and is eager to leave. "We have fought court cases but it's a long process. There are many like me who are unpaid and were set to leave when this travel restriction came into place. We have no hope of getting paid or finding another job. We are dependent on social workers and Indian Embassy officials," he said.

Nilesh Pradhan, a sales executive, is one among several people who face salary cuts in his company. Pradhan said many like him find it tough to save enough for survival.

"We have a 30-per cent cut this month and expect it to go up to 50 per cent by May. Things are expected to become worse. So, with no expected savings we wish to leave as soon as possible."

Vinod Nair, who worked at a restaurant but lost his job recently, stares at the uncertain future.

"I am surviving on food kits from social workers. I am in miserable state. I don't think my restaurant will hire anytime soon. I have to leave as soon as possible. I am already in talks to work as a driver back in Kerala," he said.

muzaffarrizvi@khaleejtimes.com

(With inputs from Ashwani Kumar)

• Dubai
• India
• Pakistan