The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Dubai crash: State to protect Gulf workers

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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Dubai crash: State to protect Gulf workers

Special Correspondent

At least 50,000 people from Andhra Pradesh working in the Emirates

HYDERABAD: The State government is keenly following the developments in Dubai with a view to taking whatever steps it can to protect the interests of thousands of skilled and semi-skilled workers belonging to Andhra Pradesh employed in the Gulf region.

It is also studying the possible impact of the fallout of the proposal by the UAE-Government-owned Dubai World to suspend the payments due on government-backed debt and seek a six-month moratorium on the companies based in or belonging to Andhra Pradesh.

Higher Education & NRI Affairs Minister D. Sridhar Babu told this correspondent that there were at least 50,000 people from the State working in the Emirates mostly on the construction projects being implemented by MNCs or the Andhra Pradesh-based firms like Nagarjuna Construction Company.

Economic loss

The Dubai World crisis, whose economic loss to the Emirates following crashing of share values in the stock markets, has been estimated at over $80 billion, was bound to deal a serious blow to all these immigrants and firms under the Domino effect.

The government would take a decision on the plan of action to be adopted, once the situation over the crisis becomes clearer.

Mr. Sridhar Babu said the government, like other State governments, was already faced with a financial crunch as a result of global meltdown. As such, it was not strong enough to offer financial help to the companies operating in the UAE but would definitely request the Centre to initiate protective measures.

In contrast, it however, was a position to do something to those employed in the Gulf. If necessary, it might involve some government and private institutions to extend assistance to them so that they would be able to stand on their own legs if they returned after being laid off.

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