Telangana to unveil policy to address migrant workers' woes

Telangana government plans to unveil a detailed policy to address problems faced by the workers from the state working overseas, Infotech and Panchayat Raj Minister K T Rama Rao said here today.
The minister met migrant workers from Telangana working in Dubai, an official release said.
Migrant workers from Telangana constitute the second largest Indian group of migrant workers in Dubai after those from Kerala. It is estimated that there are about a lakh workers from Telangana in Dubai, the release said.
The minister visited the Sonapur camp in Dubai where about 20,000 workers from Telangana live and inspected their living facilities including kitchen, dining hall, and bathrooms, the release said.

After his interaction with them, he learnt that several workers are exploited by agents and by their employers. They also face very difficult living conditions as well as non-payment of minimum wages, the release said.
The minister discussed the possibility of organising skill training for workers planning to work overseas, registration of workers, regulation of agents, preparing literature on rights for workers' awareness, deploying Telugu speaking staff at the Indian consulate, legal assistance, designing an insurance scheme for migrant workers and assistance in relocating willing workers back to Telangana by identifying suitable local jobs, among others, the release said.

He assured workers that the government would soon unveil a detailed policy to help them overcome these problems, it said.

Meanwhile, earlier in the day, Rao visited the Dubai Central Jail in Awair, where a few people from Telangana are serving prison sentences, the release said.
The release said that the minister has been making an effort to secure their release since two years.
The minister also learnt about the cases of some other detenues and assured them of help from the Indian consulate on a priority basis, the release said.