NRGs problems surface at Goan convention HERALD REPORTER Global Goans meet 2010 in Australia
PANJIM, NOV 18 An Open House, a unique addition at this years Global Goans Convention in Muscat (Oman), helped Goan representatives to get first-hand knowledge of the grievances of expatriates from the State working in the Gulf country. State NRI Commissioner Eduardo Faleiro said the Open House, where the Ambassador of India in Oman Anil Wadhwa remained present, was of immense help as some of the problems of skilled and semi-skilled Goan expatriate workers were dealt with and solved on the spot. Faleiro said the Embassy of Oman has taken several measures and one of them was a shelter where any Indian worker, who has run away from the workplace or having some other grievances, could take refuge until he or she was repatriated. This shelter is not permitted in law but somehow its working for the benefit of expatriates, he mentioned. Besides, he said, the embassy on the third Friday of every month holds an Open House for redressal of grievances of Indian expatriates and there was a 24-hour helpline in the embassy premises where one could call in case of a problem. In addition, the NRI Commissioner maintained, The embassy has engaged three legal firms to provide legal aid and advice to NRIs. Open meetings are held for this purpose at the embassy premises twice a week. Faleiro said the Indian Embassy circulated dos and donts prepared by the Ministry of Overseas Affairs during the convention warning Indian emigrant workers on the things they should avoid before entering any Gulf country. The NRI Commissioner said the session on Self-Employment Opportunities for NRGs, another first-time addition at the convention, discussed the question of financial assistance and incentives for setting up own business by NRGs in Goa. He said many Goans have expressed desire to come back and take up jobs or start a business in their hometown. We have decided to form a committee headed by former GCCI President Nitin Kunkolienkar to facilitate a single-window system for various Government clearances for such Goans, he informed. Faleiro said the Konkani Vishwa Sammelan, again, another first-time at the convention, espoused on the need to promote the language as an essential element of identity of Konkani-speaking people. It suggested holding of elocution and essay competitions for children of Konkani-speaking people, he mentioned. He said Dubai-based Radio Goa, which disseminates news and music in Konkani on the Internet, came in for much appreciation at the convention. The NRI Commissioner announced the next Global Goans Convention in 2010 would be held in Melbourne, Australia, under the auspices of Australian Goan Convention. He said Melbourne had a sizeable population (around 22,000) of Goans. http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=30110&cid=26
