The above poll is based on the page A4 report, ‘Indians see red over orange passport plan’, published in the Nation section of Gulf News on January 18.
The Indian government’s move to change the colour of the passport for citizens based on their socioeconomic background kicked up a controversy among Indian expats across the globe.
Many opposed the plan to change the colour of the passport from navy blue to orange for people with Emigration Clearance Required (ECR) status.
The ECR status is issued for applicants who have not passed matriculation (grade 10) and not paying income tax.
We asked our readers about what they thought of India’s plan to introduce colour-coded passports. A majority 68 per cent of the poll respondents said it is discrimination. Meanwhile, 18 per cent felt it was a move to protect workers’ rights.
Many Indians took to social media, to discuss about how the move will deepen the divide among the rich and the poor, and the educated and the uneducated in India.
Uneducated and unskilled Indian citizens require an ECR from the office of the Protector of Emigrants to seek employment in foreign countries including Afghanistan, Bahrain, Brunei, Kuwait, Indonesia, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Thailand, UAE and Yemen.
Do you think this move will help the Indian government to protect workers’ rights outside India? Share your thoughts on readers@gulfnews.com.
- By Evangeline Elsa/ Community Solutions Editor
