Indian migrant worker suicide rate falls 42%

The results mark a reverse of the trend that has been seen for the past four years. (Getty Images)

The number of suicides among India’s migrant workers in the UAE in 2008 fell from 118 to 69 year-on- year – a 42% decline – according to figures presented by consul general of India Venu Rajamony this morning.

The results mark a reverse of the trend that has been seen in the past four years. Between 2005 and 2006 the number of suicides rose from 84 to 109, and then in 2007 the number increased again to 118.

The figures were presented by Rajamony at the Construction Week GCC Leadership Summit in Dubai.

Labour complaints received by the consulate during the same period also increased from 1972 to 2693 - a rise of 27%.

“One of the reasons why suicides happen is that many of the labourers do not have any outlet other than their jobs,” Rajamony said.

“They go out and work in the sun all day, then return to their labour camps where some of them have few friends, and very little to do.

“As a result, some workers turn to drink, and some become depressed, which in some very sad cases has lead to suicide.”

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The Indian consulate has instigated a number of schemes to support its workers in the UAE, including a counselling service, a 24 hour help-line, and various forms of economic aid for the most vulnerable.  Meanwhile the UAE government is introducing a range of measures to better protect workers, including new standards across all labour camp accommodation and stamping out illegal recruitment practices.

Indian migrant workers constituted 42.5% of the labour force in the UAE in 2008, according to the National Human Resource Development and Employment Authority.

Before the onset of the financial crisis, Rajamony said there were 5 million Indian migrant workers across the Gulf region, and 1.5 million in the UAE alone, though he described this as a “guesstimate.”

Rajamony also said that the legal dues and compensation, “including blood money,” paid to families in India through the government totalled US $9.71 million in 2008. No figures were given for previous years.

Rajamony was joined by Philippines labour attache Virginia Calvez and Bangladesh ambassador Nazmul Quaunine, who highlighted some of the similarities between their countries with regards to labour issues.

“We would urge employers to notify the consulate if they wish to terminate a Filipino worker’s employment as a result of the financial crisis,” Calvez said.

Rajamony also gave some insight into the depth of impact the financial crisis has had on the construction industry at the start of this year.

According to the consul general, the Indian Consulate approved 241 firms for recruitment in January, against 3410 for the same month last year - a fall of 93%. But in an encouraging sign the crisis may be softening, he said that 602 firms were approved in March, a less severe year-on-year decline of 64%, while 487 were approved in April, a decline of 59%.

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