Migration experts feel that workers from Kerala are being increasingly displaced in the Middle East due to the high minimum wage fixed by the Indian Government as well the growing popularity of workers from the Philippines and Africa who take up jobs for lower wages.
While wages in the Middle East have not improved, workers from Africa, Nepal and the Philippines are willing to work at lower salaries—as low as Rs 14000 a month—which reduces the opportunities for Malayalis. Africans are willing to take up jobs at just a little more than half of what the average Indian worker is paid. Indian drivers have to be paid about Rs 20,000 a month, whereas an African driver will do the same job for Rs 8000 a month. Indian security personnel reportedly charge about Rs 30,000 a month but an African security workers will take up the same job for even Rs 20,000 a month or less. And since these Africans possess multiple skills and are also good with language, they are rapidly stealing the opportunities that would have otherwise gone to Malayalis.
The Indian government recently fixed a minimum wage — the referral wage for unskilled workers as announced by the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia is about Rs 30,000. This is rather on the higher side because the Arab employers are also expected to pay for the workers’ food, accommodation, medical insurance, uniforms as well as paid leaves.
It is reported that the economy of the Gulf has been rather slow to pick up following the global crisis. With the Gulf nations also trying to bring about a demographic balance, the future seems to be far from bright for the Malayali workers.
Value our content... contribute towards our growth. Even a small contribution a month would be of great help for us.
Since five years, we have been serving the industry through daily news and stories. Our content is free for all and we plan to keep it that way.
Support HRKatha. Pay Here (All it takes is a minute)
I partially disagree to this article. I am into recruitment for the GCC countries and the Hiring Managers even today prefer Keralites, despite the fact they are hiring people from other developing or under developed countries. Of course cost is the main factor, but still Keralites aren’t denied opportunities to work abroad. I have clients ranging from hospitals to hospitality firms and to labor industry. In regions like Kuwait it has become hard, mainly due to the changes the Ministry of Health has brought forth. Of course, Keralites have seen massive layoffs, but you need to understand the reasons why, before you say Keralites are less preferred. There are other countries which also employees Keralites and the reason is not because they are hard working, it is because they work hard.