Kerala Launches Pravasi Employment Exchange

Kerala has taken a significant step in supporting its expatriate population by establishing a Pravasi Employment Exchange and aims to connect them with suitable job opportunities.

The minimum age requirement for registering on the exchange is 18.

This virtual exchange primarily benefits three groups: non-resident Keralites working abroad, Keralites employed outside of Kerala, and those who have returned to Kerala after losing their jobs.

By uploading their biodata and relevant documents on the online portal, individuals belonging to these categories can register and showcase their identity and address verification.

The portal will leverage this information to identify talented professionals among the non-resident Keralites who were compelled to return home due to job losses during the pandemic.

Furthermore, the platform will be beneficial for Keralites working in other states within India as well.

To facilitate job placements, the portal will organize job fairs for the registered applicants.

The official launch of the portal took place on May 24, 2023, following the inception of the idea in 2020 and a detailed report submitted to the State government by the employment director.

It emphasized the necessity and potential benefits of such an employment portal for non-resident Keralites.

The NORKA (Non-Resident Keralites) Department has revealed that over 1.5 million Keralites were forced to return home after losing their jobs abroad during the post-lockdown period.

Among the returnees, approximately 71 per cent, or around 1.11 million individuals, had to come back to Kerala due to job terminations.

The highest number of returning Keralites came from the UAE, followed by Saudi Arabia. Other countries include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar.

In response to the challenging situation faced by these returnees, the Kerala government extended financial support by providing ₹5,000 to each applicant. Over 175,000 Keralites applied for this monetary aid.

The establishment of the Pravasi Employment Exchange will now alleviate the need for NRKs (Non-Resident Keralites) to physically visit employment offices, streamlining the job search process for them.

Kerala’s Pravasi Employment Exchange marks a significant development in supporting the employment needs of non-resident Keralites.

The exchange aims to address the challenges faced by those who have lost their jobs and returned to Kerala. Also, it offers a virtual platform for job seekers to register and connect with suitable opportunities.

This initiative provides convenience by eliminating the need for physical visits to employment offices. In addition, it demonstrates the state’s commitment to assisting its expatriate population in securing employment and improving their livelihoods.

Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pxhere (Free for commercial use / CC0 Public Domain)

Image Reference: https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1440163