KTR visits Sonapur camp in Dubai

The minister visited Dubiotech complex, where several biotechnology laboratories are located.

HYDERABAD:TELANGANA:15 /12/2014: The Minister for IT, Government of Telangana Sri KT Rama Rao met migrant workers from Telangana who are working in Dubai. Migrant workers from Telangana constitute the second largest group of migrant workers after those from Kerala. It is estimated that there are about a lakh workers from Telangana in Dubai. The Minister visited Sonapur camp where about 20,000 workers from Telangana live. The Minister inspected their living facilities, kitchen, dining hall, and bathrooms. He then conducted detailed interaction with them about their problems. Many workers face a number of problems that start from when they are in India itself, and continue after their arrival in Dubai and during their employment. They get exploited by agents first and then by some of the employers. They face very difficult living conditions. Non-payment of minimum wages is another common issue. The Minister discussed the possibility of organising skills training for workers planning to work overseas, registration of workers, regulation of agents, preparing literature on rights for workers' awareness, deploying Telugu speaking staff in Indian Consulate, legal assistance, designing an insurance scheme for migrant workers, assistance in relocating willing workers back to Telangana by identifying suitable local jobs, and so on. The Minister assured the workers that the government will soon bring out a detailed policy which will help the migrant workers overcome these problems
PHOTO:ARRANGMENT

Telangana Minister for Information Technology K.T. Rama Rao on Monday visited Sonapur camp in Dubai and met workers from the State working there and assured help from the government. He also visited Central jail at Aweer in Dubai where some Telangana natives are lodged.

During his visit to Sonapur camp, where about 20,000 workers from Telangana are living, Mr. Rama Rao enquired bout their living conditions and problems. He assured them that the Telangana government would soon bring out a policy to help the migrant workers.

Many workers are exploited by employment agents first and then by some of the employers. Non-payment of minimum wages is a common issue. The Minister discussed with them about organising skill-improvement training before leaving the country, registration and regulation of agents, preparing information on the rights of migrant workers, deploying Telugu-speaking staff in the Indian Consulate, legal assistance, insurance coverage, assistance in relocating workers willing to return by identifying suitable local jobs and others.

Earlier in the day, the Minister visited the central jail at Aweer, where a few persons from Telangana are serving imprisonment sentences. The Minister has been making efforts to secure their release for the last two years and five of them are likely to be released soon.

Mr. Rama Rao also learnt about some other detainees and assured them of help from the Indian Consulate to get their matters attended on a priority basis. Workers from Telangana constitute the second largest group of migrants in Dubai after those from Kerala. It is estimated that there are about one-lakh workers from Telangana there.

Accompanied by Special Chief Secretary (Industries) K. Pradeep Chandra and Commissioner of Industries Jayesh Ranjan, the minister visited Dubiotech complex, where several biotechnology laboratories are located.

They called on its Director Marwan Abdulaziz and discussed the possibilities of setting up a similar facility in the Pharma City coming up at Hyderabad. Mr. A Abdulaziz promised to explore the opportunity during his visit in February 2015 to participate in the BioAsia summit in Hyderabad.