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Gulf migration study: Employment, wages and working conditions of Kerala emigrants in the United Arab Emirates

Author

Listed:
  • K.C. Zachariah

    (Centre for Development Studies)

  • B.A. Prakash

    (Centre for Development Studies)

  • S. Irudaya Rajan

    (Centre for Development Studies)

Abstract

This is the fourth in a series of Working Papers published by the CDS on Kerala migration. Unlike the other three, this one is financed by the Kerala Government and the data were collected in UAE. The objectives of this Working Paper are to: document changes in the labour demand for different categories of emigrant workers, enumerate the emigration policies, examine employment and working conditions, wage levels and related problems of the Kerala emigrants, understand the education and training requirements of future emigrants to UAE. This paper is noteworthy in a number of ways for its contributions to our understanding of Kerala migration to the Gulf countries. It gives the most authentic estimate of the annual remittances to Kerala from the Gulf countries and from other parts of the world. The average annual estimate of the total remittances from all countries of the world is Rs 13,815 crores for the period 1998-2000. Remittances from the Gulf countries alone would be about Rs 12,640 crores. The paper concludes that changes in the immigration policy of the UAE government, completion of major infrastructure projects and economic recession in the region have reduced substantially the demand for unskilled and semi-skilled labourers in the UAE. The new policies are related to demographic balancing, emiratization, banning visa for unskilled Asian workers, large-scale mechanisation to make unskilled labour very expensive, etc. The UAE government has also stopped accepting applications for visas for unskilled workers from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh with effect from 18th July 1999. Future demand will be for categories of skilled workers, technicians, computer workers, heavy equipment operators, electrical workers and professional categories such as doctors, nurses, engineers, teachers and accountants. The future emigrants from Kerala should be equipped to meet the changing demand for migrant labour in UAE.

Suggested Citation

  • K.C. Zachariah & B.A. Prakash & S. Irudaya Rajan, 2002. "Gulf migration study: Employment, wages and working conditions of Kerala emigrants in the United Arab Emirates," Centre for Development Studies, Trivendrum Working Papers 326, Centre for Development Studies, Trivendrum, India.
    • Handle: RePEc:ind:cdswpp:326
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. K.C. Zachariah & P.R. Gopinathan Nair & S. Irudaya Rajan, 2001. "Return emigrants in Kerala: Rehabilitation problems and development potential," Centre for Development Studies, Trivendrum Working Papers 319, Centre for Development Studies, Trivendrum, India.
    2. Faini,Riccardo C. & de Melo,Jaime & Zimmermann,Klaus (ed.), 1999. "Migration," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521662338.
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    Cited by:

    1. S.Irudaya Rajan & Bernard D Sami & S.Samuel Asir Raj, 2017. "Tamil Nadu Migration Survey 2015," Working Papers id:12075, eSocialSciences.
    2. Jajati K. Parida & Merry Elizabeth John & Justin Sunny, 2020. "Construction labour migrants and wage inequality in Kerala," Journal of Social and Economic Development, Springer;Institute for Social and Economic Change, vol. 22(2), pages 414-442, December.
    3. Kar, Saibal, 2008. "Migrant remittances in the state of Kerala, India," MPRA Paper 103805, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. K.C. Zachariah & S. Irudaya Rajan, 2007. "Migration remittances and employment short-term trends and longterm implications," Centre for Development Studies, Trivendrum Working Papers 395, Centre for Development Studies, Trivendrum, India.
    5. K.C. Zachariah & S.Irudaya Rajan, 2008. "Costs of basic services in Kerala, 2007: Education, health, childbirth and finance (Loans)," Centre for Development Studies, Trivendrum Working Papers 406, Centre for Development Studies, Trivendrum, India.
    6. Justin Sunny & Jajati K. Parida & Mohammed Azurudeen, 2020. "Remittances, Investment and New Emigration Trends in Kerala," Review of Development and Change, , vol. 25(1), pages 5-29, June.
    7. Bhupesh Gopal Chintamani & Lalitagauri Kulkarni, 2023. "Determinants and Effects of International Remittances: Evidence from Ratnagiri District of Rural Maharashtra," The Indian Journal of Labour Economics, Springer;The Indian Society of Labour Economics (ISLE), vol. 66(2), pages 617-637, June.
    8. K. P. Kannan & K. S. Hari, 2010. "Kerela's Gulf Connection: Emigration, Remittances and their Macroeconomic Impact 1972-2000," Working Papers id:3132, eSocialSciences.
    9. N. Vijayamohanan Pillai, 2004. "CES function, generalised mean and human poverty index: Exploring some links," Centre for Development Studies, Trivendrum Working Papers 360, Centre for Development Studies, Trivendrum, India.
    10. IRIS Knowledge Foundation IKF, 2014. "Jobs and Livelihoods Mapping the Landscape," Working Papers id:5918, eSocialSciences.
    11. Zachariah KC, 2009. "Costs of Basic Services in Kerala, 2007 Education, Health, Childbirth and Finance (Loans)," Working Papers id:1837, eSocialSciences.
    12. KC.Zachariah & S.Irudaya Rajan, 2007. "Economic and social dynamics of migration in Kerala, 1999-2004: Analysis of panel data," Centre for Development Studies, Trivendrum Working Papers 384, Centre for Development Studies, Trivendrum, India.
    13. Sasidharan, Anand, 2008. "Is Grass Greener on the Other Side?: A Glimpse of the Worker Camps in UAE," MPRA Paper 19378, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    14. Zachariah KC, 2008. "Migration, Remittances and Short-term Trends and Long-term Implications," Working Papers id:1328, eSocialSciences.
    15. Amanda Wise, 2013. "Pyramid subcontracting and moral detachment: Down-sourcing risk and responsibility in the management of transnational labour in Asia," The Economic and Labour Relations Review, , vol. 24(3), pages 433-455, September.
    16. Parida, Jajati Keshari & Mohanty, Sanjay K., 2013. "Role of Remittances on Households’ Expenditure Pattern in India," MPRA Paper 62395, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    17. Kumar, Rakesh Ranjan & Rajagopalan, Anjana & Singh, Sudershan, 2018. "Dimensions of Economic Mobility in Kerala’s Migrant Households," MPRA Paper 88606, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Kerala; remittances; emigration; United Arab Emirates;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • J18 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Public Policy
    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand

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