TN fishermen skip Chennai PoE for trip

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No fisherman in Tamil Nadu has taken emigration clearance from the Protector of Emigrants (PoE) at Chennai to go abroad on his search for greener pastures in the last five years.

The emigration law gives provision for workers to get clearance from any PoE in the country but Chennai being the nearest office, it is only natural to expect that these Gulf-bound men applied here for Emigration clearance.

However, it has been found that these migrant fishermen took clearance from PoE offices at Kochi, Mumbai and some northern state offices, and the reason is easy to guess, say officials.

Speaking to DC, Chennai PoE D. Jaishankar said he has asked for the passport details of Sekar, who was shot dead Tuesday by a US warship in Dubai, and of his boat-mates injured in the incident. “I would like to know whether these fishermen have gone to Dubai on work visa or tourist visa. My office did not receive any application from fishermen for emigration clearance in the last five years.

Obviously, agents had lured them with promises of fat salaries and got the emigration clearances from other places through some other methods. I can help the families of the affected fishermen get at least the insurance money if the hurt workers possess proper documents”, he said.

He said the unscrupulous agents would never explain the job terms to the gullible fishermen who pay them heavily. “Without knowing about the problems awaiting them in the foreign land, many fishermen go in the hope of earning good money and end up cheated. They could actually earn better in their native places than risk these Dubai trips”, the PoE added.

He exhorted the job seekers abroad to earn money. But the illegal agents tend to cheat them and exploit them with low wages. There are good chances of earning for fishermen in their local areas, compared to the earnings and expenses in a Dubai job,” he added. The PoE exhorted people to check out if an agent is approved through the website www.poechennai.in [2] or by phone 044- 24891337.