Despite the pleas of various organisations, the Centre has decided not to roll back the minimum referral wages (MRWs) fixed for Gulf workers. The organisations said thousands of Indian workers in the Gulf are affected because of the Centre's decision to reduce the minimum wages in two circulars issued last year...

The government should review its decision and do what benefits Indian workers," said Bheem Reddy Mandha, president of Emigrants Welfare Forum. He pointed out that the Qatar government had enacted a law to pay workers of all nationalities a minimum wage of 1,000 riyals a month, 500 royals for accommodation and 300 riyals for food. "But, the Indian government offered to send its workers for only 728 riyals (USD200)," Bheem Reddy said.