(Image source from: Kerala government agencies take charge of recruitment of nurses})

From April 30 onwards, state-owned Overseas Development and Employment Promotion Consultants (ODEPC) and Roots-Norka, the agency that looks after the welfare of the Kerala diaspora, will be incharge of the recruitment. This is a huge relief to Kerala nurses who seek employment in West Asia, two state-owned agencies have been awarded full rights over their recruitment, which was earlier handled by private firms.

"I just do not know what to say about this wonderful news. I was moving heaven and earth to borrow money from several people so that my daughter could pay the recruitment fees to a private agency for a nurse job in Kuwait," said Kunjumon Thomas, a driver who makes a living by driving private vehicles in Thiruvalla. "I do not know whom Rs 1.6 million to thank as we have saved close to," he added.

State Minister for Labour, Shibu Baby John, under whom ODEPC operates, said that along with state Minister for Diaspora KC Joseph, they will hold a joint meeting with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Tuesday to get down to business.

Certifications are required to apply to the UAE, Oman and other Gulf countries. John said that his department is now ready to equip the aspiring nurses with these new certifications as it has set up Kerala Academy for Skills Excellence (KASE).

By Premji