UP, Bihar replace Kerala as top supplier of blue-collar workforce to GCC nations: Report
Mumbai, Nov 17: Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have begun replacing Kerala, which was a significant contributor of blue-collar workforce, from India to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, a report said on Friday.
Over the last decade, there was a notable shift in migration patterns with Kerala witnessing 90 per cent drop in workforce going to the Middle East nations, according to a report by blue-collar worker placement platform Huntr.
However, this void left by Kerala was filled by Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Bihar, which are emerging as the top two contributors to the Gulf migration landscape, said the report.
The top five labour-sending states include UP, Bihar, Kerala, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu, while the preferred destinations remained Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman, it added.
According to the report, there has been a 50 per cent increase in the migration of blue-collar workers from India to the GCC in the first seven months of 2023.
The report by Huntr is based on data on its platform.
The report further revealed that the demographic profile of Indian migrants to Dubai in 2023 reveals a workforce primarily concentrated in the 20-40 age group, indicative of individuals in their prime working years.
Historically male-dominated, the workforce landscape is evolving with a notable increase in women migrants, particularly in the hospitality sector, it noted.
Qualifications among migrants vary widely, ranging from minimal formal education to vocational training, with skillsets tailored to specific job roles, the report said, adding that the majority of these migrants hail from lower-income backgrounds, propelled by the aspiration for enhanced financial conditions through opportunities in Dubai's robust job market.
The employment landscape of 2024 is projected to surge in job roles in Dubai, including construction workers, manufacturing technicians, hospitality staff, and healthcare support staff, it said.
This forecast aligns seamlessly with the UAE's substantial investment in manufacturing and infrastructure, indicating a strategic move to accommodate the influx of skilled workers from India, the report stated.
"Amid these opportunities, blue-collar workers often grapple with challenges such as financial and contractual issues, which collaborative efforts between India and the UAE are diligently addressing to ensure fair recruitment practices," Huntr CEO Samuel Joy said.
To counter the vicious debt cycle, we play a pivotal role by eliminating middlemen, fostering transparency, and promoting fair recruitment, he added.
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“Edu Min doesn’t know Kannada”: Boy’s remark irks K'taka Minister who orders action against student
Bengaluru (PTI): A boy's alleged remark that the Education Minister "doesn't know Kannada", irked Madhu Bangarappa, who holds the portfolio, as he directed officials to take action against the student.
The incident took place during the launch of a programme to provide free online coaching to 25,000 students from Karnataka taking CET, JEE, and NEET exams.
During the virtual interaction on Wednesday, the student reportedly said that "the education minister doesn't know Kannada".
The School Education and Literacy Minister initially appeared cool on hearing the boy's remark, but later made no secret of his annoyance. He said: “who is that? Am I speaking in Urdu? TV people will keep showing this now...."
"Whoever said I don't know Kannada, record it, and take action against them. This is very stupid. He should be ashamed,” Bangarappa said.
The Minister then instructed principal secretary (school education) Ritesh Kumar and PU (Pre-University) department director Sindhu Roopesh, who were seated next to him, to take action on the matter. "Who is the teacher, BEO (Block Education Officer)? This has to be taken up very seriously. Someone said the ‘Vidya Mantri’ (education minister) doesn't know Kannada."
At this point, one officer expressed doubt whether the student had indeed made such a comment, to which the Minister responded: "ya, ya...he said that....you have to take action, I cannot sit quietly. See who it was...."
The officials assured that action will be taken.
Targeting Bangarappa on the issue, the BJP called him "Avidya Mantri"
"You (Minister) said this is a temple of knowledge, question with courage. And now you call someone who questions a stupid..." BJP posted on 'X'.
In another post, the party said: "Madhu Bangarappa himself had earlier said that he doesn't know Kannada properly, now as soon as a student reminded it, ordering action against that student, along with teachers and the BEO there, is really stupid. Congress' such dictatorial attitude is dangerous for democracy,"
