Hyderabad: A new help desk for Gulf workers and their families, called ‘Pravasi Prajavani,’ will be launched on Friday at Praja Bhavan. Minister Ponnam Prabhakar will open this service as part of the State government’s efforts to support Gulf workers.
This special counter will be for migrant workers from Telangana who are working in Gulf countries like Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. It will allow them to submit their issues without having to wait in the general public lines.
Mandha Bheem Reddy, PCC NRI Cell convenor, explained that the counter will help Gulf workers communicate with the External Affairs Ministry and embassies in the region. Many workers face problems such as unpaid salaries, sponsorship issues, contract disputes, abuse, imprisonment, delays in bringing back mortal remains, repatriation, missing persons, and marital troubles.
The desk will also help in cases where workers are cheated by recruiting agents, with support from the police and the Protector of Emigrants (PFO).
Reddy said, “This will be a historic moment, as the government launches Pravasi Prajavani. Until now, no such system existed at the state level.” He also mentioned that the government has recently approved an ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakhs for families of Gulf workers who have died abroad. An advisory committee will also be set up to study the welfare of Gulf workers.
