“The big problem wasn’t just the money,” said George. The bigger plight was in their resident status. With their sponsors (always citizens of Qatar, if the hiring company isn’t Qatari) not available, there was no way they could avail of their passports (which are held in custody) and hence neither could they renew their visas nor could they get the essential exit permit which enables a labourer/worker here to leave the country. Their very existence becomes worthless. One must remember, that without this exit permit, or a sort of release letter, you cannot switch firms too, in West Asia. Joseph says such instances are growing. “I think it is essential that the Indian government tackles this seriously and introduces quality control on the recruiting agencies. I have suggested that all such recruiting agencies be registered with the Indian government and the functioning of each be monitored on a regular basis. This will help weed out the crooked, and also provide a certain amount of security to the labourers.”

Like other Arab states, there are clearly two sets of employment possibilities in Qatar. The first, and most desirable are government organisations. People employed here are secure and well looked after. Such jobs, though, are hard to come by and give first preference to citizens. It’s in private employment that life could get worrisome. The image of India is essentially the image of the worker at the lowest level in a foreign country. If he or she is forced to scrounge and starves, it bodes ill for an emerging power like India.

... contd.