Gulf returnees issue: Centre's response not good, says Pinarayi Vijayan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan today said the Centre's response to the state government's package for rehabilitating expatriates returning from Gulf countries was not 'favourable'.

"The problems faced by expatriates who return to the state due to localisation in employment and economic recession in Gulf countries was brought to the notice of the Centre, but the response was not favourable," he said, replying to a calling attention motion on the issue.

"We will have to continue our effort to get assistance for the rehabilitation package for (Non-Resident Keralites) NRKs," he said, adding government was aware of the seriousness of the matter.

The state government would do everything possible to help those who return to the state from Gulf countries, he said.

Vijayan said it was a fact that NRK's from Gulf countries were returning due to localisation of employment and economic recession.

IUML leader and former state minister P K Kunhalikutty while moving the motion, said the situation in Gulf countries were not so good as earlier.

"More people from Kerala will come back in few more years time," he said.

He also wanted the government to work out a comprehensive rehabilitation package for the returnees.