Kuwait issue: Govt, Opposition seek Centre’s intervention

Thiruvananthapuram: Congress-led UDF government and Opposition in Kerala on Tuesday voiced concern over deportation of Indian workers from Kuwait as part of its indigenisation policy and sought the Centre's intervention to ensure that those affected do not face harassment.

In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy wanted the Centre to take immediate steps to address the problems faced by Indians, a majority of whom are Keralites.

Chandy said a large number of Keralites in Kuwait faced the threat of deportation with the authorities there taking stringent measures to send those staying there without proper documents. He wanted the Centre to ensure that Kuwait authorities informed the Indian Embassy details of the arrest of Indians.

He suggested that the Centre explore possibilities such as urging the Kuwaiti government to declare a six-month amnesty for affected workers or give them three months' time to get proper documents.

Meanwhile, in a statement, CPM state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan also sought urgent Central intervention in the matter.

“The reports that there is going to be large-scale deportation of foreigners from Kuwait have caused anxiety in Kerala. The Centre should take immediate steps to address the problem,” Vijayan said.

Vijayan said India should bring pressure on Kuwait to adopt a humanitarian approach of giving sufficient time to the affected workers to either leave the country or obtain proper documents to continue there.