Dimapur | March 28 : A news item appeared on March 17 last about the commencement of an orientation course for 137 Naga youths at the NAPTC based at Chumukedima, Dimapur. The lads were selected by the department of Employment & Craftsmen Training; Nagaland, in collaboration with Seoul based CONA International, Ltd. The exercise is under the state government’s ‘Capacity Building Programme’ to be sent to Abu Dhabi, where they will be employed as construction workers.
This group of young men will be given placement in South Korean construction companies involved in building projects in one of the rich emirates of the UAE. The purpose behind the course is to prepare the trainees or the selected youths for their stay in Abu Dhabi.
After the news report was published in this daily on March 17, concerned readers posted their views at The Morung Express website regarding the story. The comments were mostly centered on the reported wage of 200 (US dollars) per month (roughly nine thousand in Indian rupees), the Naga youths will be earning in Abu Dhabi.
Chris Min, manager of the Dimapur office of CONA International Ltd downplayed the wary comments on the web page. He said that the company has registered as an “overseas company” in India as laid down in the “Companies Act of 1956”. Putting to rest the negative comments about its status, Min said the registration is under process at the concerned ‘ROC’ (Registrar of Companies).
Company downplays wary comments
About the wages which has created a storm of sorts among readers on the concerned web page, Min said that it can be negotiated with the company which would eventually employ the youths. However, he said that spurred on by the global economic meltdown, 200 (US Dollars) is the average wage for manual labors in Abu Dhabi.
He surmised that there are a lot of prospective job seeking migrant workers in the UAE affected by the worldwide economic recession and finding a job there is not that easy. In such a scenario, companies there would turn away from manpower agencies/companies which demand high wages well over the current rate for its clients.
Min said they can vouch for higher wages for the Naga youths but they have to take into consideration the present economic conditions. Moreover, he assured that the workers from Nagaland will be provided housing and food, the costs of which will not be deducted from their salaries. In case of accidents or injuries in the workplace, Min said the UAE has strict labour norms which will come into play if as such, unforeseen incidents occur.
The deputy director of Employment & Craftsmen Training, Vandanshan Patton said the venture is on an experimental basis to develop work ethics among the Naga youths. When queried on the smallish wage of 200 dollars (or about Rs 9000), Patton was of the view that it is “reasonable”. He said that other Indian workers get only 100 dollars after deduction of an equal amount for food and lodging.
The food and lodging for Naga lads during their working period in Abu Dhabi will be borne by the company, he said. Hence the Rs 1.5 crore sanction from the state government to the company which will take care of expenses such as travel, passport, accommodation, food etc of the Naga lads.
Patton however disclosed that the whole amount is yet to be transferred to the company. It will be done following completion of ‘certain official formalities.’
The deputy director though said that the Naga workers may not be allowed to hold their passports by their employers after they land in Abu Dhabi. This was based on the assumption that some of the workers may drop out in the midst of ongoing work which will hamper progress. Also Patton said that the Naga youths will be bound by contracts which have to be understood and duly agreed.
Life coverage in case of unforeseen mishaps will most probably be included within the contract, Patton said. Out of the 137 Patton said that 4 had to make way on health grounds.
This group of young men will be given placement in South Korean construction companies involved in building projects in one of the rich emirates of the UAE. The purpose behind the course is to prepare the trainees or the selected youths for their stay in Abu Dhabi.
After the news report was published in this daily on March 17, concerned readers posted their views at The Morung Express website regarding the story. The comments were mostly centered on the reported wage of 200 (US dollars) per month (roughly nine thousand in Indian rupees), the Naga youths will be earning in Abu Dhabi.
Chris Min, manager of the Dimapur office of CONA International Ltd downplayed the wary comments on the web page. He said that the company has registered as an “overseas company” in India as laid down in the “Companies Act of 1956”. Putting to rest the negative comments about its status, Min said the registration is under process at the concerned ‘ROC’ (Registrar of Companies).
Company downplays wary comments
About the wages which has created a storm of sorts among readers on the concerned web page, Min said that it can be negotiated with the company which would eventually employ the youths. However, he said that spurred on by the global economic meltdown, 200 (US Dollars) is the average wage for manual labors in Abu Dhabi.
He surmised that there are a lot of prospective job seeking migrant workers in the UAE affected by the worldwide economic recession and finding a job there is not that easy. In such a scenario, companies there would turn away from manpower agencies/companies which demand high wages well over the current rate for its clients.
Min said they can vouch for higher wages for the Naga youths but they have to take into consideration the present economic conditions. Moreover, he assured that the workers from Nagaland will be provided housing and food, the costs of which will not be deducted from their salaries. In case of accidents or injuries in the workplace, Min said the UAE has strict labour norms which will come into play if as such, unforeseen incidents occur.
The deputy director of Employment & Craftsmen Training, Vandanshan Patton said the venture is on an experimental basis to develop work ethics among the Naga youths. When queried on the smallish wage of 200 dollars (or about Rs 9000), Patton was of the view that it is “reasonable”. He said that other Indian workers get only 100 dollars after deduction of an equal amount for food and lodging.
The food and lodging for Naga lads during their working period in Abu Dhabi will be borne by the company, he said. Hence the Rs 1.5 crore sanction from the state government to the company which will take care of expenses such as travel, passport, accommodation, food etc of the Naga lads.
Patton however disclosed that the whole amount is yet to be transferred to the company. It will be done following completion of ‘certain official formalities.’
The deputy director though said that the Naga workers may not be allowed to hold their passports by their employers after they land in Abu Dhabi. This was based on the assumption that some of the workers may drop out in the midst of ongoing work which will hamper progress. Also Patton said that the Naga youths will be bound by contracts which have to be understood and duly agreed.
Life coverage in case of unforeseen mishaps will most probably be included within the contract, Patton said. Out of the 137 Patton said that 4 had to make way on health grounds.
One post from a reader said no one can survive in Abu Dhabi or for that matter in the rich gulf countries with a monthly wage of 200 dollars. The reason is that living expenses in the oil-rich gulf countries are very high unlike here. “Rs 9000 may be a lot for a young man in Nagaland but not in UAE! Pay accordingly to the local market and regulation”, the post cried.
Another comment said that the reported wage will not be even sufficient to buy food for a month in Abu Dhabi, while warning “Migrants workers do not have rights. Their company bosses will take away their passports as soon as they land in Abu Dhabi (mark my word)”.
“While supporting every possible means to encourage our people with job-oriented ventures, I’d be very cautious of what directions they are being projected to” observed one of the posts. It expressed doubts over the reported two hundred dollars wage.
One of the readers was rather appalled at the state government spending Rs 1.5 crores for training Naga youths to work as laborers. The commentator was of the view that the government can instead open vocational institutes with that amount.
Another went on to claim that the said company is “underpaid and not based on International Labour Organisation”.
A reader was somewhat supportive of the move of the government. “We have been kept unexposed, boasting about this and that yet not being able to move on”, it read and continuing “Most Naga lads are lazy so they think they shouldn’t do this...but everyone needs to work. Not all can depend on govt jobs”. To access all of the comments readers can log on to www.morungexpress.com
PS: This account is the result of an overwhelming number of responses from readers following the publication of a news report in regard to the commencement of the orientation course.
Another comment said that the reported wage will not be even sufficient to buy food for a month in Abu Dhabi, while warning “Migrants workers do not have rights. Their company bosses will take away their passports as soon as they land in Abu Dhabi (mark my word)”.
“While supporting every possible means to encourage our people with job-oriented ventures, I’d be very cautious of what directions they are being projected to” observed one of the posts. It expressed doubts over the reported two hundred dollars wage.
One of the readers was rather appalled at the state government spending Rs 1.5 crores for training Naga youths to work as laborers. The commentator was of the view that the government can instead open vocational institutes with that amount.
Another went on to claim that the said company is “underpaid and not based on International Labour Organisation”.
A reader was somewhat supportive of the move of the government. “We have been kept unexposed, boasting about this and that yet not being able to move on”, it read and continuing “Most Naga lads are lazy so they think they shouldn’t do this...but everyone needs to work. Not all can depend on govt jobs”. To access all of the comments readers can log on to www.morungexpress.com
PS: This account is the result of an overwhelming number of responses from readers following the publication of a news report in regard to the commencement of the orientation course.