Hundreds of Kerala healthcare workers fear deportation over visa issues; CM seeks PM's intervention
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention to address what he described as the economic hardship and uncertain future facing Indian healthcare workers, most of them from Kerala, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
In a letter to the Prime Minister, Satheesan said nurses, paramedics and other healthcare professionals are facing a range of visa-related difficulties in the Gulf nation. According to him, the problems are affecting their ability to secure employment visas, visit visas and dependent visas.
The Chief Minister said the situation has emerged amid the prolonged tensions involving the United States and Iran in the region, leaving many Indian healthcare workers uncertain about their future in the UAE.
Workers at Iranian hospital in Dubai facing distress
Referring to an Iranian hospital in Dubai, Satheesan said healthcare workers from Kerala employed there are facing an especially difficult situation.
He said restrictions linked to the conflict-hit region have raised concerns about the continuation of their jobs and livelihoods. Many workers, he noted, are approaching the end of the grace period granted under UAE regulations and fear the consequences once it expires.
Satheesan warned that several healthcare professionals could face deportation if they are unable to regularise their visa status before the end of their permitted stay.
In his letter, he said those affected fear that being forced to leave the UAE could not only disrupt their careers but also affect future employment prospects and professional licensing opportunities.
Livelihoods and family stability at risk
The Chief Minister said the uncertainty has created anxiety among a large number of Malayali families settled in the UAE.
According to him, many families have built their lives in the country, with their livelihoods, children's education and long-term plans closely tied to their continued stay there.
He said the prospect of deportation and job loss has deepened concerns among affected workers and their families.
Calls for humanitarian intervention
Seeking a solution, Satheesan urged the Ministry of External Affairs to engage with the Indian Embassy in the UAE and the relevant UAE authorities.
He called for efforts to find a fair and compassionate resolution on humanitarian grounds for those facing visa and employment-related difficulties.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the contribution of Indian healthcare professionals across Gulf countries, including the UAE.
He said Indian nurses, paramedics and other medical workers have played a key role in maintaining healthcare services and responding to emergencies. Satheesan noted that many of them served on the front lines during the Covid-19 pandemic, helping ensure uninterrupted healthcare delivery during a critical period.