Hyderabad

A delegation from Telangana will study the migration and labour policies that the Philippines has in place for their workers abroad. The delegation will deliberate, develop, and adopt similar policies for the large workforce from Telangana employed in West Asian countries.

According to Non-Resident Indian Advisory Committee (NRIAC) member Swadesh Parkipandla, the delegation comprising 11 people, which include legislators and experts on the subject, will be on tour from August 17 to 21 to examine the country’s policies and institutional mechanisms for the welfare and protection of migrant workers in the Gulf countries. Return and re-integration policies will also be studied, he underscored.

He said that the focus would be on welfare programmes, institutional systems and best practices being followed in that country. The visit is also to gather inputs for a Telangana Gulf NRI policy and a welfare board for these workers.

“Philippines has very strong migration policies,” M. Bheem Reddy, Vice-Chairman of NRIAC, told The Hindu. “They have labour attaches, welfare officers, and special arrangements in Phillippine foreign missions in Gulf countries. Their embassies are quite strong there.” The “migration-driven” policies are one of the best models in the world, he added.

“They also have very strong pre-departure orientation programmes, and skilling and upskilling schemes. Bilateral agreements with Gulf countries are important and the government has a hand in negotiating better salaries for their workers,” Mr. Reddy said.

He opined that despite the ongoing conflict in West Asia, which involves Israel, US and Iran, and the Arab countries being affected by it, there is still scope for skilled worker migration. With Saudi Arabia being confirmed as the host country that will host the FIFA World Cup 2034, a larger number of opportunities for skilled workers would open up.

During the visit, the delegation will meet experts and officials and visit the Indian Embassy in Manila, the Commission on Overseas Filipinos and the Department of Migrant Workers. . Experts from the Migrant Forum in Asia and Building and Wood Workers’ International will brief the delegation on issues concerning migrant workers.

Published - August 14, 2026 08:42 pm IST