Minister warns against 'unscrupulous' agents

By SOMAN BABY from Kochi

INDIAN job seekers have been advised in Kerala by a Bahraini minister not to fall into the trap of unscrupulous recruiting agents. The call came from Labour Minister Dr Majeed Al Alawi, who presented certificates to a group of job seekers who completed a pre-departure orientation course in Kochi, Kerala.

The course was conducted by Non-Resident Keralite Affairs’ (NORKA) welfare agency, the Roots.

The ceremony, held at Wytefort Hotel in Kochi, was chaired by NORKA principal secretary Sheela Thomas. Overseas Indian Affairs Ministry secretary K Mohandas and NORKA-Roots vice-chairman M A Yusuffali also spoke.

The course is part of a programme designed by Roots to acquaint the job seekers with the country to which they are migrating.

It covers the culture of the host country, and the working conditions and the nature of jobs they will undertake there.

Similar pre-departure orientation centres are being set up in different districts in Kerala.

Dr Al Alawi congratulated the Kerala Government on its plan to set up its own recruiting agency under the Roots to save the job seekers from the exploitation of unscrupulous agents.

He advised the Roots to arrange skill accreditation and proper health tests for the workers before they leave for the Gulf to take up new jobs.

The unskilled workers are the main victims of exploitation, said Dr Al Alawi.

“Unscrupulous people are present here in India and there in the Gulf to exploit you,” he told more than 100 course participants.

“If you are recruited to Bahrain, do not think that it is going to be a heaven as promised by some agents. Right from the start of your journey, you have to work hard.

“You have to make sure that your employers get what they expect from you. You should also ensure that you get what you deserve. You have to stand up for your human rights.”

Dr Al Alawi stressed the importance of the job seekers to be qualified and trained properly to compete with an international workfoce.
“We will not interfere with the employee’s contract with the employer. But we shall interfere if the terms of the contract are breached by either of the parties,” he noted.

The minister and his accompanying delegation arrived in New Delhi yesterday after winding up their two-day visit to Kerala.

A dinner reception in honour of Dr Al Alawi was hosted by Bahrain’s Ambassador to India Mohammed Ghassan Shaikho at the Maurya Sheraton Hotel last night.