Opportunities for nurses
“One of the issues that I am raising at the Loka Kerala Sabha is the lack of opportunities for nurses who return from abroad, which forces them to continue there, despite all difficulties. There is a shortage of vacancies in Kerala, but there are openings for nurses in other institutions, including schools, even in other States. When such opportunities open up, preference should be given to nurses who have returned from abroad. Another suggestion is that the government, through the embassies or representatives, should maintain continuous interaction with those working in other countries. Many people may not have the opportunity or courage to approach authorities to sort out various issues. So, it would be great if we have a representative of the government visiting their households periodically, to check on their well-being."
Marina Jose
Worked as a nurse in Iraq
Call to form network
“The biggest takeaway for me from the Loka Kerala Sabha is the opportunity to meet and interact with like-minded Malayalis from all over the world. But, this endeavour will not be a success with just this two-day programme. We have to take it forward, forming networks and using these to tackle various issues as soon as they crop up. Africa has great potential and is witnessing an inflow of people from India. But, as much as there are opportunities, there are pitfalls. We have been interacting with NoRKA to ensure that job aspirants take the right route, ensuring the authenticity of the company through the High Commission, before embarking on their journey. Meets like these will go a long way in streamlining these activities.
P.V. Jayaraj
Businessman, Founding-member of Tanzania-India Friendship Association
Connect with government
“It is a great initiative on the part of the government to bring in expatriates from all over. For the past many years, I have been handling a variety of issues faced by Malayalis living abroad, right from cases of people being cheated of all their hard-earned money to those struggling to bring the bodies of their relatives back home. Many are not aware of the way to go about it, when caught in a particular situation. This connect with the government back home is very important. There is an element of trust when the government comes in.”
Anitha Pullayil
Social activist, Italy;
Women’s Global Coordinator,
Pravasi Malayali Federation
Exchange of culture
“I was part of the empowered committee, in the organising of the LKS. There was some apprehension on how this would turn out. But the meet has achieved more than we expected. It will facilitate better exchange of culture and improve quality of migration. No issue was left untouched, right from women’s issues, to those of labourers, to challenges in the health sector. This is also a message to NRI investors. The success depends on the follow-up actions. Also, we have to ensure that this process continues, whichever government comes to power.
P.T. KunjuMuhammed
Filmmaker
For the common man
“For me, the highlight of the Loka Kerala Sabha is that the government has started seeing beyond the industrialists, to address the common population. Till now, only the creamy layer was addressed. Also, this was perhaps the first time that pravasis have been invited here, and acknowledged. The focus is also shifting, from West Asia, equally to Europe and Africa. One of the suggestions I am putting forward here is a system to have the accurate number of pravasis with the help of local bodies. Now, the government only has vague numbers, using estimates from different airports. Another suggestion is for the improvement of social security of the parents of those who are residing abroad”
Rajesh Krishna
Journalist, United Kingdom
As told to S.R. Praveen.
