Kochi: The migration tendency of Keralites is showing a downward trend and it has remained almost stationery at 27.3 lakh since 2003. The number of Non resident Keralites per hundred households dropped from 39.7 to 36.2 during the same period while in over 75% of Kerala households there is not even a single member abroad. The results of the Migration Monitoring Studies (MMS) for the year 2007 have exposed this and many more startling facts.
The reasons attributed to this change in the immigration pattern are the opening up of the employment opportunities in the private sector and a booming economy among others. The job scenario in the gulf region slowly lost its charm due to the stringent rules and regulations that gave preference to local job aspirants. The volatile situation in Iraq after ousting the Saddam regime is also pointed out as another reason for this downward plunge.
Today, United Arab Emirates has become the favorite destination of many job hunters while Saudi Arabia was pushed into the second slot. Many observers believe that the stringent Shariat laws and restriction on females have had a big role in the downslide of the popularity of Saudi Arabia as a haven for immigrants.
The migration, remittances, and employment patterns have undergone a sea change in the last few years. The study sponsored by the Department of Non-Resident Keralite Affairs, concludes that the era of substantial immigration trend seems to have vanished from the state of Kerala, once famous for its sprawling ‘gulf pockets”, which was the main driving force of the economy of this state. Whatever be the reasons for this change in the migratory pattern, it is sure this phenomenon would enliven the timeless adage of “home sweet home”!
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