Muscat: The migration of Indian workers to the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is witnessing a shift with Kerala, which was the biggest contributor of blue-collar workers, being replaced by Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
According to a study by UAE-based organization, Huntr, Kerala contribution to sending blue-collar workers to the GCC has dropped by nearly 90 percent.
There has been a 50 percent increase in migration of blue-collar Indian workers to the GCC in the first seven months of 2023.
The top five states by the number of workers sent to GCC, according to the Hunter study, are Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Kerala, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu.
And the preferred destinations for labor migration remain Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman.
The workforce migrating to the GCC countries is typically aged 20-40 years, traditionally dominated by men, but the Huntr report has highlighted a substantial increase in the participation of women, especially in sectors such as hospitality.
The migrant workers’ qualifications and educational backgrounds differ from minimal formal education to vocational training.
Hunter CEO Samuel Joy said: “Amid these opportunities, blue-collar workers often grapple with challenges such as financial and contractual issues."
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