Socio economic impacts of nitaqat in Kerala a study in Malappuram district

Abstract

his study looks into how Saudi Arabia‘s Nitaqat policy affected the Malappuram district in Kerala. Malappuram has a large number of people working in Gulf countries, especially in Saudi Arabia. The Nitaqat policy, which was part of Saudi Arabia‘s plan to give more jobs to its own citizens, forced many foreign workers to return home. Most of those affected were low- and semi-skilled workers from places like Malappuram. The study focuses on four main areas. First, it explains how the Nitaqat policy was introduced and applied in Saudi Arabia. It shows how the government made private companies hire more Saudi citizens, which meant many foreign workers, including those from Kerala, had to leave their jobs and return. Second, it studies the impact of this sudden return of migrants on Malappuram‘s economy and society. The district has long depended on the money sent home by workers in the Gulf. When this money stopped coming, many families faced financial problems. Spending in local markets went down, unemployment went up, and overall economic growth slowed down. Third, the study looks at the problems faced by returnees. Many of them had trouble finding new jobs because the skills they had learned in Saudi Arabia were not useful in Kerala. Some returnees also faced health problems and found it hard to adjust back to life in their home communities. These challenges also caused stress within families and made it harder for returnees to feel supported. Fourth, the research reviews how the Kerala government responded, especially through NORKA (Non-Resident Keralites Affairs). Some programs were launched to help returnees with money, training, and small business support. However, many returnees felt that these schemes were not enough. Some did not know how to apply, while others found the process slow and unhelpful. The lack of long-term support made the situation worse for many returnees.The study found that the Nitaqat policy caused serious problems for returnees and the local economy of Malappuram. The district‘s strong dependence on Gulf jobs became clear. Many returnees suffered due to poor planning and weak support systems. The government‘s efforts helped a little but were not enough. The study ends by saying that there is a strong need for better policies and long-term support to help returnees rebuild their lives and to strengthen areas like Malappuram that send many people abroad for work.