Pinarayi Vijayan urges Union government to reduce airfares for Gulf-bound returnees from Kerala
Lost lives beyond numbers in Covid ‘s global sweep, is certainly the biggest tragedy of present times. But even more tragic is the living death millions suffer on a daily basis on account of lost livelihood.
What is worse is that millions caught in the aftermath of Covid’s backlash, have been unable to return to their jobs on account of various restricting factors.
Initially, it was travel curbs at the national and international level to contain and clampdown on the spread of the virus. However, now that these restrictions have been eased to a large extent, a huge chunk of non-resident Indians are unable to get back to their jobs abroad as travel fares have been increased many times over, beyond their reach.
A recent survey by the Centre for Indian Migrant Studies (CIMS) had shown that in Kerala alone nearly 11 lakh people had come back home during the pandemic due to job loss. Additionally, another limited survey showed 397 NRIs had been deprived of pending dues, estimated at around Rs 62 crore.
As it is, almost 18 months of ‘forced idling’ at home has financially broken the backs of these NRIs, most of them unskilled and semiskilled workers. What is worse is that many had to come back without being paid salaries / pending dues.
A recent survey by the Centre for Indian Migrant Studies (CIMS) had shown that in Kerala alone nearly 11 lakh people had come back home during the pandemic due to job loss.
Additionally, according to another limited survey, 397 NRIs had been deprived of pending dues, estimated at around Rs 62 crore.
Taking these factors into account, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday, September 16 urged the Union government to take steps to make airfares affordable for flights to the Gulf.
In a letter to Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, the Chief Minister said that expatriates are one of the worst affected country due to COVID-19. Many had remained jobless all this time.
With various air routes opening up, these NRIs are keen to return to their workplace. But airfares have skyrocketed in various sectors, especially to the Gulf making it impossible for these people to resume work.
The chief Minister stressed in his letter: “As our people are trying to get their livelihood back on track, your kind gesture in this regard will be much appreciated”.
“More people being able to travel abroad at affordable airfares, will also mean that the country will earn more money by way of foreign exchange and hasten its economic recovery”, he added.
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