Dindigul: The working condition and pay of the migrant workers from Tamil Nadu employed in Oman in the Gulf is appalling and very poor, according to a survey conducted by a team of Dindigul based non-governmental organisation (NGO) - Peace Trust.

In the case of most of them who worked as sweepers, the jobs provided in Oman were menial compared to their qualification and their salaries were paltry. Most of the workers, who were well qualified from the Southern districts were staying in dormitory type camps and worked like bonded labourers for a paltry 55 Riyals (Rs 6,000) per month against the salary of Rs15,000 promised by the recruitment agents. Of their salary, they should spend about Rs.14,000 for renewal of worker ID card annually.

The migrant workers, sent by the bogus recruiting agents from Southern districts, were not getting any of the benefits enjoyed by the employees that normally came with employment in the Gulf.

Many of them were seeking employment in construction department also and were harassed and teased by the natives in many ways, says the study.

The garment companies' women employees were worst sufferers and were not allowed to even go out anywhere except to the place of work and lodging. They could go shopping only for half a day in three months.

The migrant labourers were going through two channels. There are 2.5 lakh Indian migrants in Gulf. Of them skilled and qualified workers were not having any problem staying in Oman. The unskilled workers who were hired on contract through licensed Government recruitment agents with legal documents and having workers' ID were not having problem, says the study.

The bogus recruiting agencies were increasing in Tamil Nadu rapidly. Some of the migrants, who were provided false documents by the recruiting agencies, were sent back on arrival while the others go into hiding and search for menial jobs. "Such groups suffer more," says the study.

According to the study, migrant labourers were being cheated not only by employers, but by local fake agencies in India regarding their pay and working conditions, etc.

The study said that there were three lakh migrant workers in Oman. Of them, 2.5 lakh were from India. The annual income from the migrant Indian workers in Gulf countries was $ 300 billion. But many of them were paid very poorly.

Quoting the Tamils' Association, Peace Trust chairman J Paul Baskar said the root cause of the problem of migrant workers was only bogus recruitment centres and urged the Government to deal them with an iron hand.