Mounting bills, job loss haunt Indians stranded back home
SOME FORCED TO RUN TWO HOUSEHOLDS WHILE DEALING WITH SALARY CUT
Besides facing job loss and salary cuts, Indian expats stranded back home are struggling to pay rent, utility bills and unpaid children’s school fees in the UAE.
Kaushik Samanta, who is stuck in Kolkata with his family, has received his Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) approval, but his wife, Paramita and eight-yearold son, Abhiraj have not.
Samanta, who had gone to India on emergency leave to attend to his mother, has not received his salary since May 1, but has to continue paying monthly rent of Dh3,000 for a two-bedroom apartment in Sharjah, besides utility bills.
“My employer said my salary will resume once I resume work so it is a matter of urgency that I return to the UAE,” he said.
‘I have not got my salary’
Shyne Muraleedharan, a driver at an Indian school in Ajman, has been stranded with his 13-year-old daughter Krishna Thulasi in Alappuzha, a town in Kerala, since March.
Both of them had ICA approval, but could not return due to non-availability of flights. “Our ICA approval then expired and we reapplied, but with no success. I have not received my salary. We are now dependent on my wife, who barely earns Dh4,000 a month. She is struggling to pay rent, utility bills and our child’s fees,” he said.
‘My children missed classes’
Komal Gohil, 30, has been stranded in Patna, Bihar, for five months, along with her housemaid, and four children. Her husband is continuing to pay EMI for a villa in Al Furjan.
“The children’s education has to be paid for. Two of my children have missed online classes. My husband is having a hard time paying bills and managing expenses both in India and in Dubai,” she said.
‘Taking care of two homes’
Sudheesh Krishnan, 37, stranded in India since March, said: “I am taking care of two homes, two sets of bills. I came to India to take care of my sick mother. I am now struggling with her hospital bills. I need to return to UAE, get my job back and start earning, but My application has been rejected several times.”
Sajitha M, 43, who works as an administrator in Ras Al Khaimah, has been stranded in India since March. She too has a pile of bills to pay, including rent and utilities. “My company is paying only half my salary, which is just Dh4,500. I have to pay my rent and utilities.I need to return to UAE and get my full pay back,” she said.