Dubai: If you are an Indian expat in need of help in the UAE, you can now look forward to an increased level of assistance from the Indian missions in Dubai and Abu Dhabi - provided you are deemed deserving.
As Indian Ambassador to the UAE Navdeep Singh Suri and Consul General Vipul announced a set of revised guidelines to the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) last week, it was apparent that the scope of the fund, which caters to Indians in distress, has not only widened, but also allows for a higher utilisation of money at its disposal. From September 1, distressed Indian expats can expect help in the following ways, but only if their needs are genuine and can be established on a means-tested basis:
1. Boarding and lodging assistance (subsistence allowance) for a maximum of 60 days
2. One-way air ticket if stranded
3. Two-way air fare to a doctor/an attendant to accompany primary beneficiary in case of any disability, on recommendation of the hospital
4. Legal assistance in cases minor crimes, offences or false implications by employer; fishermen/seamen/sailors/Indian students in distress; and Indian women abandoned/cheated/abused by their non-resident or foreign spouses (up to seven years after marriage)
5. Expenditure incurred on incidentals and airlifting of mortal remains of deceased Indian national to India or for local cremation, only where the employer is unable or unwilling to do so and the family is unable to meet the cost
6. Free of cost letter to Air India/Indian Airlines or payment of one-way air fare for transportation of mortal remains to India. Air ticket for a relative/attendant to accompany the mortal remains
7. Payment of small fines for illegal stay where prima facie the worker is not at fault
8. Payment of penalties for those in jails/detention centres for minor offences/crimes (to enable repatriation)
9. Emergency medical care to those involved in an accident (with serious life-threatening injuries or serious disability), if the employer/sponsor is unwilling to meet the expenses and the family is unable to meet the cost. The upper limit of medical assistance is fixed at $5,000 per case
10. Endorsement of benefits received in passport and a central database to prevent repeat blunders and offences.
Hike in consular fees
Needy or otherwise, Indian expats will also have to cough up more money for consular and attestation services rom September 1. From the earlier Dh6, the cost of visa and OCI services have now gone up to Dh11 and that of passport and attestation services to Dh8. Vipul said 10 per cent of the ICWF will now be used for community activities, like cultural programmes and welfare of Indian students while 15 per cent will go to boost consular services like creating toll-free helplines, walk-in help centres, e-governance solutions, hiring of vehicles to transport those in need, improvement of infrastructure etc.
Social welfare organisations which closely work with distressed Indians across the emirates have welcomed the new guidelines. Nixon Baby, president of the Indian Association of Umm Al Quwain, said, “The new guidelines clearly spell out what the community can expect from the missions. There are many benefits for needy workers and those who are in need of help can now avail legal assistance.”
Savad Yousuf of the Indian Social Club of Fujairah said, “Accommodation for workers who are dumped by their employers has been a big issue and hopefully, the new guidelines will provide some relief for them.”
Roop Sidhu, president of the Indian Association of Ajman, said, “We welcome the new guidelines. From what we understand, their implementation will be on a case-to-case basis.” He hoped they will address issues facing Indian workers, including those who come on visit visas and end up overstaying.
