BENGALURU: With the United Nations projecting up to 30 lakh job losses in Gulf Cooperation Council countries stemming from the West Asia conflict, Karnataka is preparing for potential spillover effects, as nearly eight lakh non-resident Indians from the state are based in the region.Dr Arathi Krishna, former deputy chairman, NRI Forum, govt of Karnataka, said a proposal has already been submitted. “During the initial phase of the war, the elderly, pregnant women and those with expiring visas attempted to leave the Gulf. We have repatriated about 550 people since the fighting began on Feb 28,” Arathi said.She said concerns have now shifted from immediate safety to job security. “The prolonged conflict is creating anxiety around employment. About 10 Kannadiga NRIs reached out to me in the past week,” she said, adding that similar concerns are being reported from Kerala, where some expatriates may avoid travel even during elections.Organisations representing non-resident Kannadigas have reiterated long-standing demands to chief minister Siddaramaiah and deputy CM DK Shivakumar. Key proposals include a dedicated secretariat, a separate department and a Rs 1,000-crore revolving fund to support returning NRIs and facilitate investments in Karnataka.Ground-level signals from the Gulf point to stress building up across sectors. Hidayath Addoor, president, Bearys Chamber of Commerce and Industry UAE, said, “On the surface, business appears normal, but there are underlying fears. Salary cuts and both paid and unpaid leave are becoming common, especially in the services sector.”He said key sectors are already seeing a slowdown. “Tourism and logistics are among the worst affected. Typically, tourism picks up after Ramzan, but that momentum is missing. Real estate investment has also stalled,” he said.He said of the 48 lakh Indians in the UAE, around 3.3 lakh are Kannadigas. “About 30% are in business and 70% are salaried employees. Nearly half are in blue-collar roles across factories and services,” he said.Community networks have stepped in to manage the immediate fallout. “Whats- App groups have been activated to provide counselling, medical support for the elderly and accommodation for those in transit,” Addoor said, adding that a structured govt response is now essential.Relief efforts so far include coordination of 630 flight tickets, over 230 accommodations and distribution of 1,180 food kits to affected Kannadigas.Arathi said the proposal for a dedicated secretariat is with the chief minister. “He has assured that action will be taken as part of the supplementary budget,” she said.
