Indian diplomatic mission in Dubai repatriated hundreds in 2018

Dubai - In 2018, a total of 256 seafarers were signed off and 136 air tickets were issued for visit-visa cases.

Given the broader scope of the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF), the Indian diplomatic mission in Dubai managed to repatriate hundreds of job fraud victims, stranded seafarers, distressed women and amnesty grantees in 2018.
Apart from the provision of air tickets, travel documents and basic needs for amnesty-seekers, a "great deal" of repatriations of Indian nationals in distress took place this year, authorities from the Consulate General of India (CGI) recently announced.
Consul-General of India to Dubai Vipul said: "Given that the guidelines of the ICWF were revised in 2017, the mission has worked extra hard this year to repatriate a large number of distressed people."
He said the mission had helped not only those who fell victim to job scams and others who were abandoned in dire conditions by their employers, they also provided aid to Indian nationals who came to the UAE on visit visas and stayed in the country without legalising their residency.
In 2018, a total of 256 seafarers were signed off; 136 air tickets were issued for visit-visa cases, including those who were granted amnesty; and 181 cases of distressed women, including housemaids, were lodged at the Indian Consulate shelter.
Vipul added: "In the case of the abandoned sailors, we are glad to announce that the numbers have greatly reduced, thanks to a proactive approach as well as policy changes both in India and the UAE. The greatest number of seafarer sign-offs and repatriations took place in the first half of 2018. Currently, the number of sailors who are stranded at sea is far fewer and the number of deeply distressed cases is much lesser as well (compared to previous figures)."
The seafarers were signed off with the active involvement of the CGI and with the support of the Federal Transport Authority (FTA), the authorities said.
Neeraj Agrawal, head of chancery and consul for Press, information, culture, protocol and RTI, said: "The seafarers were also provided ration such as food, water and several other necessities."
"The women at the Indian Consulate shelter, including domestic workers, were provided with housing and food, tickets and travel documents. Some of them also arrived in the UAE on visit visas and were unable to rectify their status to residency," Agarwal said.
Since the start of the UAE amnesty scheme on August 1, the mission had issued 136 air tickets for the programme's beneficiaries.
"Of these tickets, 81 were issued for men and 55 for women. Barring a few, the majority of those who were involved in the visit visa distress cases arrived in India in 2018. Some were here in March, July, and some were here even in October. They took advantage of the ongoing amnesty," said Agarwal. Besides repatriating the Indian nationals, the mission is also working closely with authorities in Delhi to clamp down on illegal recruitment.
Some of the Indians repatriated with the help of the consulate in Dubai during December
December 7-Indian seafarers on MT Farvar, who were stuck without salaries and proper food, got their pay and reached India safely. Thanks to The FTA provided support to the CGI for their repatriation.
December 13-Seven Indian crew members who were stuck on vessels Athens 99, MT Ocean Express, MT Star Light for more than 13 months without salary and proper food returned to India.
December 24-The consulate provided help to Santu Das and Harihar Bayen, two Indian workers who were stranded in Dubai due to fraud agents promising them employment.
December 25-Two Indian sailors, Zubair and Harender, flew home after being stranded in the UAE for three years. They were stuck on vessels owned by Alco Shipping.
December 26-The consulate aided Saritha Bijjam, who was stranded in Dubai due to non-employment after arriving in the country to work as a housemaid. She was repatriated to Hyderabad.
December 27-The consulate aided Arun Kumar Tiwari, who was stranded in Dubai due to non-employment and fraud.  He returned safely to his hometown of Lucknow, India.
December 28-Consulate aided four workers, who got stuck in the UAE after being cheated by fraud agents in India promising employment. They were repatriated to Mumbai.
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com
 

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