Gulf dream turns sour for many

NIZAMABAD: The dreams of thousands of unemployed youth to lead a decent life and support their families back home seem to have gone sour with a majority of those who have migrated to Gulf countries in search of jobs returning in large numbers in recent times.
Two hundred workers returned recently as against 400 who have migrated to Dubai from Pipri village in Armoor mandal of Nizamabad alone."The situation in the Gulf is not conducive for the migrant labourers. With the cost of living hitting the roof, savings have dried up. So, there's no point in going to the Gulf for work," Bakkolla Kasiram told TOI. He returned from Dubai five days ago to his native Padkal village in Jakranpalli mandal.
While the prices of essential commodities have skyrocketed in the last one year, the continued recession has forced a number of companies in the Gulf to close down their business. Kasiram, who had gone to Dubai four years ago, said he used to get work in construction firms on a regular basis. "The essential commodities were affordable but not any more. I used to send some amount every month to my family. But by and by it got difficult," he revealed. Kasiram borrowed Rs 75,000 from private moneylenders before his migration. But on his return, his debts are staring in his face.
Some of the workers, who stayed in the Gulf for nearly a decade and returned recently, said the prices of vegetables, fruits, oil, rice, drinking water and others have increased three-fold but there has been no significant rise in their salaries.
Kura Gangadhar, who returned to his native place of Jakranpalli 15 days ago, said he had no other go but to come back as the salary paid by the company was hardly sufficient to make both ends meet. He said any migrant labourer, on an average, gets 500 to 800 dirhams (Rs 6,000 to Rs 9,600) a month. "We end up spending 300 to 350 dirhams (Rs 3,600 to Rs 4,200) on room rent, food, cell phone and other essentials. This excludes medical expenses and money spent on liquor," he stated.
The Gulf returnees said at the most they could save 200 to 400 dirhams (Rs 2,500 to Rs 5,000) if they lead a frugal lifestyle. A native of Perkit village in Armoor mandal, Doragari Raju, who has come for Sankranti vacation, said they were leading a miserable life with paltry savings. "I feel it's not worth it. For instance, the price of tomato has risen up to 8 dirhams (Rs 96) as against 2 dirhams (Rs 24) five years ago. Green chilli costs 20 dirhams a kg (Rs 240) as against 5 dirhams (Rs 60). Prices of every essential item have spiralled," he said.
Surprisingly, there has been no significant change in the prices of non-vegetarian items and soft drinks. Another Gulf returnee, Mudam Raja Reddy, a native of Vellulla village of Metpalli mandal in Karimnagar district, said the demand for workers from India has fallen considerably with the closure of supply companies, which engage them and supply to various other firms.
"Moreover, a majority of the managements are sacking workers to save on salary bill to tide over the severe implications of recession," said Raja Reddy, who returned recently. About three lakh workers from Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Adilabad, Medak and Warangal districts are working in Gulf countries.
"Also, the agents are to be blamed for the high return rate of the labourers. They promise high wages to the youth and collect big commissions. But reality hits them only after they land in the Gulf. That's why so many of them are coming back," reasoned Swadeshi Jagran Manch leader Kotapati Narsimham Naidu.