Dimapur | July 5 : Reports that around 150 Naga youths are being sent to work in Abu Dhabi (UAE) and South Korea for a meager monthly salary of US $ 200 (=Rs. 8,294) and US $ 400 (=Rs.17, 848) is worrisome news. According to the report, the Government of Nagaland is planning to send 40 Naga youths to Abu Dhabi to work with Hyundai Motors and the rest will work at a veterinary company in South Korea. The prospect of working abroad may sound alluring, but the salaries these youths are being offered is not even the legal minimum wage prescribed by the host countries. Nagaland government has also expressed worry about the meager amount; but it has already signed MoUs with the companies where the youths will be employed.
According to the Worldwide Cost of Living survey 2010, Seoul and Abu Dhabi are placed among the top 50 most expensive cities in the world. The weakening US dollar makes these foreign cities more expensive. An average meal in Seoul costs anything between 3 and 5 US $ (3,000 to 5,000 Won). The cost of living in Abu Dhabi is expected to be much higher. Although the State government is planning to sponsor the youths for a period of two years, the reality is they can earn the same amount, if not more, as daily wage labourers in Nagaland. The State has fixed daily wage for unskilled class at Rs.200 and Rs. 300 for skilled class.
Nagaland govt careless or ignorant?
In South Korea, wages are paid by the hour. The Government of South Korea has fixed the minimum wage for 2011 at 4, 320 Won per hour (confirmed); which is equivalent to 2.80 US $ per hour. The daily wage rate is fixed at 34,560 Won (on an eight hour basis).Monthly wage rate is 902,880 Won (=US $ 849.130) for workers working 40 hours per week. The Naga youths, on the other hand, will be earning 425,879 Won (US $ 399), less than the fixed wages.
The Ministry of Labour UAE also has fixed minimum wage limit for different categories of workers, depending on their qualifications. According to new labour laws, employees under skilled class level 1 (those with a Bachelor’s degree) should earn a minimum 12, 000 Dhiram (Dh) a month (=US $ 3,267.04) .Diploma holders, who come under skilled class level II, should earn not less than Dh 7, 000 (=US $ 1,905.77) and workers who have passed high school should be paid a minimum salary of Dh 5, 000 (US $ 1,361.27). Naga youths will earn only 734.620 Dh every month (=200 US $). This is way below the bracket.
In Seoul, a bottle of water can cost upto 2 US $. And according to latest CNBC reports, the cost of living in Abu Dhabi is expected to rise higher. For the Naga youths, who are awaiting their passports, it is not known if the salary amount promised is minus the tax.
Unemployment and lack of opportunities is resulting in cheap labour. The main reason for unemployment in Nagaland is that the ratio of jobs to those seeking them is skewed. Skilled people do not get proper recognition and stimulus, and people still live with the dilemma that opting for government jobs is the only way to have a successful career and lead a luxurious life. Experts are viewing this as ‘import of cheap labour.’ And whether it is simply carelessness or ignorance on the part of the government, experts recommend that it needs to reexamine the realities.
(Currency value is subject to change)
According to the Worldwide Cost of Living survey 2010, Seoul and Abu Dhabi are placed among the top 50 most expensive cities in the world. The weakening US dollar makes these foreign cities more expensive. An average meal in Seoul costs anything between 3 and 5 US $ (3,000 to 5,000 Won). The cost of living in Abu Dhabi is expected to be much higher. Although the State government is planning to sponsor the youths for a period of two years, the reality is they can earn the same amount, if not more, as daily wage labourers in Nagaland. The State has fixed daily wage for unskilled class at Rs.200 and Rs. 300 for skilled class.
Nagaland govt careless or ignorant?
In South Korea, wages are paid by the hour. The Government of South Korea has fixed the minimum wage for 2011 at 4, 320 Won per hour (confirmed); which is equivalent to 2.80 US $ per hour. The daily wage rate is fixed at 34,560 Won (on an eight hour basis).Monthly wage rate is 902,880 Won (=US $ 849.130) for workers working 40 hours per week. The Naga youths, on the other hand, will be earning 425,879 Won (US $ 399), less than the fixed wages.
The Ministry of Labour UAE also has fixed minimum wage limit for different categories of workers, depending on their qualifications. According to new labour laws, employees under skilled class level 1 (those with a Bachelor’s degree) should earn a minimum 12, 000 Dhiram (Dh) a month (=US $ 3,267.04) .Diploma holders, who come under skilled class level II, should earn not less than Dh 7, 000 (=US $ 1,905.77) and workers who have passed high school should be paid a minimum salary of Dh 5, 000 (US $ 1,361.27). Naga youths will earn only 734.620 Dh every month (=200 US $). This is way below the bracket.
In Seoul, a bottle of water can cost upto 2 US $. And according to latest CNBC reports, the cost of living in Abu Dhabi is expected to rise higher. For the Naga youths, who are awaiting their passports, it is not known if the salary amount promised is minus the tax.
Unemployment and lack of opportunities is resulting in cheap labour. The main reason for unemployment in Nagaland is that the ratio of jobs to those seeking them is skewed. Skilled people do not get proper recognition and stimulus, and people still live with the dilemma that opting for government jobs is the only way to have a successful career and lead a luxurious life. Experts are viewing this as ‘import of cheap labour.’ And whether it is simply carelessness or ignorance on the part of the government, experts recommend that it needs to reexamine the realities.
(Currency value is subject to change)
