Dimapur| July 14 : The Government of Nagaland said it has not yet fixed the salary component for the 150 Nagas going abroad to work in Korean companies. Refuting claims which appeared in the media that Nagas were going abroad as “cheap labour,” Vandanshan Lotha, Additional Director, Department of Employment & Craftsmen Training & Coordinator said that the figures mentioned were those discussed “two years back” with the Korean company. However, he did claim that the news reports had the government rushing to obtain the minimum wages of the foreign countries to ensure that Naga youths are not duped. It may be mentioned that Lotha, in an interview to a local daily (not The Morung Express), was quoted saying that the youths would be paid $200 and $400 to work in Korean companies in Abu Dhabi and South Korea respectively. Thereafter, this daily followed up on the report, raising concerns about the meager amount, which was reaffirmed by Nagas living in Korea.
It is learnt that the government has conveyed to the Korean recruiting agency that the Naga youths should not be paid anything less than the legal minimum wage of the host country. “The foremost duty of the state is to ensure safety and security of the people,” Lotha said. He said there is no reason to be worried as the government has done its homework and will ensure safety of its citizens. On additional benefits like stay, food, passport, medical facilities, etc, that Korean companies are required to give its employees, Lotha said that Nagaland government has offered to bear all the expenses. “The main objective of the government is for the youths to inculcate work culture;” adding that the government is willing to pay a price for that. He said that the youth will go to Korea as unskilled labours first, where the minimum wages will be paid to them as “pocket money.”
On the matter being derailed, Lotha said that delay in issuing of passport has been the main cause. Fortunately, 31 passports have been received and the government is now trying to get “life insurance coverage” for the youths. He said that by August, they hope to finalize everything to send atleast the first batch of youths who have received their passports. The settlement of minimum between CONA and State government will take place at the finalizing stage, he said; adding that the government has very ambitiously started this project and it is going to take one step at a time. The government also has plans to have a permanent overseas placement agency so that Naga youths can be employed abroad, he informed.
It is learnt that the government has conveyed to the Korean recruiting agency that the Naga youths should not be paid anything less than the legal minimum wage of the host country. “The foremost duty of the state is to ensure safety and security of the people,” Lotha said. He said there is no reason to be worried as the government has done its homework and will ensure safety of its citizens. On additional benefits like stay, food, passport, medical facilities, etc, that Korean companies are required to give its employees, Lotha said that Nagaland government has offered to bear all the expenses. “The main objective of the government is for the youths to inculcate work culture;” adding that the government is willing to pay a price for that. He said that the youth will go to Korea as unskilled labours first, where the minimum wages will be paid to them as “pocket money.”
On the matter being derailed, Lotha said that delay in issuing of passport has been the main cause. Fortunately, 31 passports have been received and the government is now trying to get “life insurance coverage” for the youths. He said that by August, they hope to finalize everything to send atleast the first batch of youths who have received their passports. The settlement of minimum between CONA and State government will take place at the finalizing stage, he said; adding that the government has very ambitiously started this project and it is going to take one step at a time. The government also has plans to have a permanent overseas placement agency so that Naga youths can be employed abroad, he informed.
