Joblessness pushing Doaba artisans to Gulf

Deepkamal Kaur

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, March 21

It’s a matter of sheer sustenance. With construction activity almost nil in Punjab, more and more jobless artisans — masons, welders, plumbers and carpenters — from Doaba are flocking to the Gulf countries, where there are enough jobs and the wages attractive, ready to face any risk. 

Following the upheaval in Iraq, Kuwait and Iran, Dubai and Saudi Arabia are the preferred destinations, but exploitation of workers there remains a problem. 

Manjit Kaur of Rurka Kalan, whose husband Davinder Singh was killed by the Islamic State in Iraq, has her brother-in-law working in Saudi Arabia.  Balwant Rai of Dhadha had his son Rakesh Kumar working in Iraq as a computer operator. He fled the country before the tensions escalated and moved to Saudi Arabia. 

“It is not a matter of choice, but compulsion. Our menfolk leave for the Gulf to ensure a better future for children. Saudi Arabia being relatively safe, my sister’s husband has moved there,” explains Manjit Kaur.

As many as 50 members of writer Desraj Kali’s extended family are in the Gulf. Having migrated years ago, some now own construction firms. “At least 24 youths from my village Mithapur are working as craftsmen or trolley drivers in Arab countries. The families paid a few lakhs to immigration firms and Rs 12 lakh for work licence. They have no regrets.”

A former principal of Cooperative Training Institute, Nachhatar Singh, points out that a driver earning a measly Rs 4,000 per month here, is able to save Rs 45,000 in the Gulf. Ideally, the Indian authorities must ensure that those finding jobs sign a formal agreement with employers to guard against exploitation. Also, these countries must ensure their safe return in the event of any turmoil.” 

But Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner Varinder K Sharma says that except for issuing advisories, there is little the authorities can do to ensure the safety of Indians working in the Gulf.