Indo-Arab Council to start industrial projects in Mumbai

Mumbai, July 31 (UNI) The Indo-Arab Confederation Council (IACC), a body working for welfare of Indians employed in the West Asia has decided to intiate industrial projects in the metropolis to rehabilitate Gulf returnees.

''There are many issues with the Indians working in West Asia, especially those in the construction and oil sectors.

They are paid less and at times are forced to return home without being paid anything,'' C H Ibrahimkutty, Global President of IACC told UNI here today.

Mr Ibrahimkutty pointed that the other vital concern of the IACC is the new laws, being implemented in West Asia countries, giving first preference to local Arab population in place of foreigners.

This has aggravated the situation forcing large number of foreign workers of which a majority are Indians leaving the region, he said.

He said the new laws, replacing Indian workers, have led to resentment and a sense of betrayal among the Indian workers, who are now forced to return empty-handed.

''The laws have started affecting our foreign exchange revenues and the flow of foreign currency from the West Asia into the country.

It is a serious matter,'' said the Global President.

Hence, the Union government and state governments, particularly of Kerala, which has the largest presence of its people in the Gulf region must take intiatives to rehabilitate these workers through financial means or with some form of employment, said Mr Ibrahimkutty.

In addition, IACC is also toying with the idea to establish an Indo-Arab Cutural Research Institute to study and undertake research of the centuries old Indo-Arab relations, he added.

UNI