The hue and cry on seafarers pension seems to be trending these days again. But what about the other forgotten expatriate returnees from Gulf countries, countries torn by wars since long, including but not limited to Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Russia Ukraine & Sudan and now Ukraine.
Goans working in the Gulf countries such as the UAE, Oman, Saudi, Bahrain etc too face uncertain future when their contracts expire…..mostly after 2 years or when they are abruptly terminated, which happens more often now then earlier.
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Lowly paid Goans are working in Gulf countries doing manual labour and other menial jobs on very low wages, and subject to many challenges against the cheap competition from Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan and African countries among other cheap workforce. These Goan brethren are often compelled to work in challenging situations to stay in their jobs or risk being deported. Besides, some employers mostly enslave them into rigorous working environment and weather conditions with fatal results at times. And those working in the construction industry are worst affected since they often work in harsh, hot & humid ambient outdoor temperatures the Gulf is known for, causing their health irreversible damage and a remarkable deterioration in their health during their stint in the Gulf.
Many find it difficult to achieve their target of collecting enough savings at the end of their contract or when they are due to return home for vacation….which occurs mostly every 2 years. Most of this category, skip their vacation at times, to earn some more or even resort to taking credit card loans and other borrowings at high interest rates etc, all to keep the show going for their near & dear ones back home in Goa. Many Goans are jailed for loan defaults with banks and other money lenders who are quick to file cases against the unsuspecting victim.
There are numerous cases of Goans languishing in prisons abroad for other reasons….mostly for no fault of their own.
Now, coming to the point of seafarers’ pension, if only a certain section of the expatriate returnees, ie seafarers, in question are going to be given pension, then I seriously think a grave injustice is being done to all the other Goan expatriate returnees that I have just described above.
As such, it would be prudent enough for the Goa Government to consider a pension scheme for these low paid expatriates after they return from other countries & the Gulf in particular, most of whom do menial jobs, who have an uncertain future, who have been unfairly terminated and forced to return to Goa with an uncertain future etc., and unfortunately also don’t have a political voice!
I sincerely pray & hope Chief Minister Pramod Sawant considers this matter and give justice to all ‘deserving expatriates’ returning home on a case-to case basis without politicising the matter.
If needed, this topic needs to be tabled in the upcoming monsoon session of the Goa Legislature and properly debated upon so that all genuine Goan expatriates get the much hyped Pension rather than unfairly serve only a certain section of the Goan expatriate returnees.
