By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan Tuesday said that the state government is working out a slew of programmes for the welfare of non-resident Keralites (NRKs).
"We are going to start a centre here soon which would source funds from the NRKs for productive purposes. An emergency fund has been set up that would help in bringing back the NRKs who had met with accidents," Achuthanandan informed the state assembly.
He said that efforts have already begun to educate those Keralites who are proceeding to the Middle East for jobs.
"Through these efforts we will also ensure that those who go abroad for employment do not fall into the traps of fraudulent recruiting agencies," said the chief minister.
According to reports, out of two million Keralites who are working abroad, nearly 90 percent work in Middle East countries.
Achuthanandan said a special welfare scheme would be set up soon to launch a pension scheme for the NRKs.
"This scheme would also have facilities wherein educational assistance would be provided for the children of low income NRKs," he said.