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Ex gratia for Gulf workers
Telangana Government Issues Norms for Ex Gratia to Families of Gulf Workers
The Telangana government has taken a significant step towards fulfilling its election promise regarding the welfare of Gulf workers. On October 7, the state issued GO 216, which outlines the provision of Rs 5 lakh as ex gratia to the families of deceased Gulf workers, regardless of the cause of death. This initiative aims to support the families of those who lost their lives while working abroad, particularly in the Gulf countries.
Ex Gratia Policy Details
The Telangana government’s ex gratia for Gulf workers covers migrants from the state who were working in seven Gulf nations: Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The government has decided that the ex gratia payment will be made to the families of migrants who died on or after December 7, 2023. This date marks the eligibility cut-off for claiming the Rs 5 lakh compensation, which will be directly transferred to the beneficiaries’ bank accounts.
This ex gratia payment, part of the state’s commitment to Gulf workers, is a crucial measure to help ease the financial burden on families who lose their primary breadwinners due to unfortunate circumstances abroad.
Required Documentation for Ex Gratia
To claim the ex gratia for Gulf workers, family members of the deceased must submit certain essential documents to verify eligibility. The required documents include:
- Death certificate of the deceased worker
- Cancelled passport of the deceased
- Proof of employment in one of the seven Gulf countries (work visa or employment contract)
- Valid bank account details of the claimant
Once the required documents are submitted, the district collector will verify the information. After successful verification, a formal sanction for the ex gratia will be issued, and the amount will be transferred to the designated bank account of the deceased’s family. This streamlined process ensures that families can receive the financial aid without unnecessary delays.
Expanding the Scope of Ex Gratia
Following the announcement of the ex gratia policy for Gulf workers, various organizations representing workers in the Gulf region have called on the Telangana government to extend the policy’s coverage. These groups have requested that the ex gratia be expanded to include families of workers in all countries where an Emigration Clearance Required (ECR) document is necessary for employment.
Migrants’ rights activist and Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) NRI cell convener Mandha Bheem Reddy has been vocal about the need to widen the scope of the ex gratia policy. He urged Telangana’s Chief Minister, A Revanth Reddy, to include other countries such as Afghanistan, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, Israel, Yemen, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia, Russia, Ukraine, and Maldives. These countries also have a significant number of migrant workers from Telangana who face hardships similar to those working in the Gulf nations.
Request for Retrospective Ex Gratia
In addition to expanding the geographical scope of the ex gratia policy, Bheem Reddy has called for retrospective financial support for families of workers who died before the December 7, 2023 cut-off date. Speaking to Siasat.com, Reddy emphasized the importance of compensating the families of the 2,000 Telangana workers who died during the tenure of the previous government and the 1,500 who lost their lives while working in Gulf nations during the Andhra Pradesh government’s rule.
Reddy urged the Telangana government to consider offering Rs 1 lakh ex gratia to each of these 3,500 families, stating that it would be a meaningful step towards addressing the long-standing challenges faced by the migrant workers’ community.
Welfare of Migrant Workers Remains a Priority
The Telangana government’s ex gratia policy for Gulf workers reflects its commitment to the welfare of migrant workers and their families. By ensuring that the cause of death is not a factor in eligibility, the state has demonstrated its intention to provide unconditional financial assistance to grieving families. The Rs 5 lakh ex gratia serves as an important relief for families who often rely on the income of their relatives working in Gulf countries to make ends meet.
However, activists like Bheem Reddy and other Gulf workers’ organizations continue to advocate for more comprehensive measures that address the broader needs of the migrant worker community. They remain hopeful that the Telangana government will respond positively to calls for expanding the ex gratia’s reach to include more countries and provide retroactive support for families affected in the past.
Conclusion
The Telangana government’s issuance of ex gratia for Gulf workers is a crucial step towards safeguarding the welfare of migrant workers’ families. With Rs 5 lakh offered to the next of kin of those who died while working abroad, the policy offers significant financial relief. However, calls to extend the ex gratia to more countries and consider retrospective claims reflect the ongoing challenges faced by migrant workers. As the state continues to implement its promises, further support for these families remains a critical priority.
Disclaimer:
This content is based on public announcements and policy guidelines issued by the Telangana government. The information provided is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered official government advice or legal interpretation.
