EDITORIAL
The state needs to play a proactive role in protecting Goans in the Middle East
Global travel has been disrupted due to the war in the Middle East. But this is a small change compared to what could be the wider impact of the bitter conflict. Even as pundits across the globe attempt to make sense of why it erupted, the actual impact that the conflict could have on the lives of millions makes concern loom large. There is anxiety among Goans about their dear ones working in the Gulf.
For this Goan segment, a continuing war could mean significant job insecurity, disrupted remittances, and safety risks. They are based in countries within the conflict region, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman. Armed conflict can trigger evacuations, visa disruptions, business closures and delays in salary payments. This affects families in Goa who depend on an overseas income. Likewise, regional instability can raise insurance and shipping costs, affecting Goan seafarers too. Travel restrictions and airspace closures are showing signs of having complicated movements. On a broader level, spikes in oil prices and global economic uncertainty can also reduce hiring and contract renewals. LPG cylinder cost has already gone up, and apprehensions are high about fuel prices in the country.
The matter found an echo in the Goa Assembly through a Calling Attention motion on Monday. Several members spoke and gave suggestions. Goa still has the unfinished task of working out exactly how many of its citizens (or Goans holding other passports) are known to be settled in the Gulf region. Some surveys or guesstimates suggest that over half of all Goan expats actually live and work in the Middle East region itself. Other figures suggest that the total number of Goans living abroad could be 2 lakh to 3 lakh. In the Assembly, one member said there are more than 80,000 Goans in the Middle East, while another said that more than 2 lakh Goans are in the region.
Opposition members said that, unlike Kerala, Goa has failed to set up a control room with helpline numbers. They were critical of the government for not being proactive in this matter. One opposition member had, during Zero Hour on March 6, called for charter flights to bring back Goans if the situation demanded. On Monday, the MLAs demanded that the government prepare a contingency plan and coordinate with the Indian embassy/MEA on a priority basis so that the authorities are ready with evacuation arrangements, if required. Another MLA demanded that the tourism department immediately stop roadshows in the Middle East, saying no one from the region would want to come to Goa on a holiday when war is at their doorstep. It was clear from the discussion that the Assembly, cutting across party lines, is concerned about the situation in the Middle East. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant assured the start of a control room and added that awareness would be created of the helpline numbers. Moving swiftly, the government declared the numbers by evening.
If states like Kerala, having a huge expat population in the Middle East, have a good system for taking care of their diaspora, why shouldn’t Goa look at such a model? The government must understand that the state receives huge remittances from Goans working in the Middle East and also those in other parts of the world, boosting foreign exchange. It is time Goa makes renewed efforts to build a strong bond with its expat community. Reach out to the Goan diaspora, starting with those in the Middle East, and show that the state cares for them.
