Lok Sabha Question No. 3886 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-17
Subject: Nationalisation Policies of GCC
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Kumbakudi Sudhakaran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3886 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.07.2019

## NATIONALISATION POLICIES OF GCC

## 3886 . SHRI KUMBAKUDI SUDHAKARAN:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether   the   Government   has   taken   note   of   instances   of   Non Resident Indians (NRIs) being forced to return to India as a result of the   nationalisation   policies   in   Gulf   Cooperation   Council   (GCC) countries;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with occupation based classification of NRIs who have returned to India between 2014 and 2019;
- (c) whether the Government has introduced or proposes to introduce any scheme to accommodate NRI returnees into Government or public institutions and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has introduced or proposes to introduce any scheme to ensure basic income to NRI returnees who have lost jobs due to nationalization policies in GCC Countries and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government has introduced or proposes to introduce any scheme to provide low interest loans to NRI returnees for setting up   Small   and   Medium   Scale   Enterprises   and   if   so,   the   details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

(a) & (b) The   GCC   countries   have   been   following   a   policy   of nationalisation since the last few years, which broadly aims at increasing the employment opportunities of their citizens both in the public and private sectors, by reducing dependence on the expatriate workers. The expatriates are restricted from working in a few job sectors in most of these countries.

However, the policy is not specifically directed at Indian nationals. GCC countries are following this policy uniformly in respect of all foreign nationalities.   These   efforts   of   the   GCC   countries   have   of   late   gained momentum after the ongoing slowdown of the economy due to continued low crude oil prices. The job losses occurring in the last few years were mainly due to some companies facing economic problems.

Government is working in close coordination with the GCC countries towards safeguarding the interests and welfare of the resident Indian community. Indian workers in companies affected by economic downturn in the Gulf region have been extended assistance through waiver of fines on Iqama (resident permit) related violations, providing exit visas and one way return tickets to India as well as transfer of sponsorship, wherever possible,   on   gratis   basis.   Government   has   also   extended   necessary support to facilitate return of Indian nationals who have availed Amnesty offers in GCC countries.

(c)   to   (e)   As   regards   Indian   nationals   who   have   lost   their   jobs   and returning to India, responsibility for their resettlement primarily rests with the State Governments. Government stands ready to extend necessary cooperation to States in this regard.

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