Workers in distress to receive counselling

Abu Dhabi: Indian workers in distress in the UAE will soon be able to call a toll free number round the clock to get counselling and further assistance from the Indian Embassy.

The embassy has decided to establish a centre in Dubai called "Indian Workers Resource Centre" (IWRC) to help the workers who need any help, M.K. Lokesh, Indian Ambassador to the UAE told Gulf News on Wednesday.

The centre will provide counselling mainly in four areas such as medical, legal, consular and social [issues], he said. The centre will have the people with expertise in those areas to counsel the workers in distress, Lokesh said.

The services are meant for the workers who do not have the resources to get legal or medical help, he said. Apart from counselling, the centre will record complaints from the workers, the ambassador said. "In very serious matters, the officials from the community welfare wing of the embassy will visit the workers in need, if the situation demands," Lovkesh said.

He said the centre will follow up all the complaints to extend possible help. He said the embassy will engage a private organisation to run the centre under the supervision of the community welfare wing at the embassy. "We will advertise in the media, inviting bids from experienced organisations to establish and run the centre," Lokesh said.

"If we get quick response from the experienced organisations [to the invitation of bids], the centre can be established within a few months," he said.

"The government of India had taken the decision in this regard and the administrative matters were progressing in this regard. Considering the necessity of such a centre for majority of Indians who are workers, I have expedited the process," he said.

Resource Centre

• 24-hour toll free number to get counselling.
• Counselling in medical, legal, consular and social issues.
• Complaints from workers will be recorded.
• Community welfare officials will visit workers in serious matters.
• A private organisation will establish and run the centre.
• Government of India will fund the centre.