Educating the labour force

A pilot project to teach basic English language and computer skills to the low-income Indian labour force living in labour camps is on the anvil.

The project will be jointly initiated by the Indian Community Welfare Committee (ICWC) and the Indian Consulate, Dubai.

Explaining the project's concept, K. Kumar, the Vice President of the Indian Association Dubai, and the Convener of the ICWC, said the idea is to educate the labour force in basic English language skills followed by basic computer skills.

"Our main intention is to open up courses in computers for the low-paid Indians, and this can only be successful if we also educate them in English language. This is because the computer skills can only be acquired in English.

The stress will not be on grammar and linguistics. Currently we are working on the logistics involved in the project.

"We are in the process of identifying the classroom facilities within a large labour camp, and organising teachers from local schools. We have to make sure that the teachers who are interested in giving their time can spare an hour or two after school hours. The project will be an ongoing one. We are looking for a dedicated team.

"Once the teachers are selected it will be up to them to form the course module. To begin with we plan to have two classrooms each comprising of 25 workers," he said.

According to Kumar, prior to initiating the course, feedback will be taken from the workers as well.

"It is essential for us to get the workers' opinions on the project. Until the product is demonstrated we cannot measure the response. For the time being we will be launching the project in Dubai, and later on take it to the Northern Emirates."

The ICWC is established at the initiative of the Indian community in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, under the patronage of the Consulate General in Dubai.

The main objective of the committee is to look after the welfare of Indian citizens in the following categories in Dubai and the Northern Emirates:

Destitute housemaids, stranded labourers/workers, persons in detention in Dubai, Northern Emirates and Al Tawelah prisons on grounds other than economic, drug trafficking and political offences, and persons undergoing prolonged treatment in hospitals due to serious ailments and physical disabilities.