The statement issued by External Affairs Minister S Jayasankar in the two houses of Parliament the other day would bring at least some solace to expats who had to return en masse from Gulf countries.

Most of the returnees have lost their jobs during this period. Many have lost their visas to return. Their rehabilitation is a major challenge for the Central and State Governments. While the employment situation in the Gulf countries, where the Covid level is much better, is not entirely the same as before, there is hopeful progress. Air services are also being restored. The travel ban imposed on people from a few countries, including India, has been almost lifted. But the future of expatriates whose work visas have expired is a big question mark.

Most of them left everything unexpectedly and returned home. There are those who have succeeded and those who have not succeeded in trying to rebuild their lives in the country. There are those who do not want to go back. The central government has appealed to the Gulf countries to extend a helping hand to those who want to return. Most of the Gulf countries are very fond of India. Therefore, a favourable response to India's request can be expected.

At the height of Covid, 45 lakh Indians had returned from various Gulf countries. The reason for our increased anxiety that a good portion of them are Malayalis. Many people want to return by any means considering the working conditions in the country. It would be a good thing if the Centre comes forward to facilitate that. It is impractical in the present situation to rehabilitate millions of expatriates who have returned. It would be best to give as many people as possible a chance to go back. With this in mind, the Foreign Ministry has already held talks with the rulers of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also taking an active interest in the issue of expatriates.

At his suggestion, the foreign minister discussed with the Gulf authorities the issue of expatriate resettlement. It is learned that the Centre is also considering plans to rehabilitate as many expatriates as possible here. The Department of Labour and Rehabilitation should formulate special schemes for this purpose. With millions of returnees coming in, long-term plans are needed. The education of children in many families has also been disrupted due to the sudden abandonment of everything. Their case also needs to be considered.