Mangaluru: Four residents of Dakshina Kannada district were among 35 to 40 Indians who recently returned home after allegedly being stranded in Kazakhstan following a job ordeal.One of the victims approached Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta through former MLC Prathap Simha Nayak, following which Chowta took up the matter with the ministry of external affairs (MEA). The ministry intervened through the Indian mission concerned.The youths had allegedly travelled to Kazakhstan in April after being promised jobs. However, they are still traumatised by the experience. Many had taken loans of about Rs 4 to 5 lakh to finance their travel and are now facing financial difficulties after returning without securing the promised employment.One of the victims said he had been offered a job with a logistics company. However, the job did not materialise and he was allegedly offered alternative employment. Before he could reach the new location with others, they were questioned by authorities, he said.Chowta thanked the MEA and embassies for their prompt response to distress calls from Indian nationals abroad.“On July 29, a family approached me, and on Aug 13, several of them managed to return home,” he said.The MP said cases involving Indians in distress abroad were becoming increasingly frequent, particularly in certain countries in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Many such cases appeared to be linked to fraudulent recruitment, substitution of employment contracts, unsafe working conditions and inadequate awareness among migrant workers, he said.Chowta said he had earlier urged external affairs minister S Jaishankar to strengthen pre-departure counselling, awareness campaigns and coordination with recruiting agencies to ensure better safeguards for Indians travelling overseas for employment. He also suggested enhanced monitoring mechanisms in high-risk destinations.Urging youngsters to exercise caution, Chowta said they should not rely on unverified agents and must check the credentials and track record of recruiters, besides verifying the job, employer and visa before travelling abroad.“Our young people have the talent and ambition to build successful careers here in Mangaluru, and we must work together to create those opportunities. Every life is precious, especially that of a young person who carries not only their own dreams but also the hopes and responsibilities of an entire family. My office is always just one call away. We will do whatever it takes to safeguard our people and bring them home safely when they find themselves in distress. But it is equally your responsibility to exercise caution and not put your life, future and your family’s hopes at risk,” the MP added.
