Dubai:
Women from Kerala working in Gulf countries may get pension in future as a women's commission from the state is conducting a comprehensive study in this regard, an official said.
"The Kerala Women's Commission (KWC) is conducting a detailed study about the problems faced by the Indian women in the Gulf, especially the low-income earning domestic workers, as part of a long-term plan to introduce a pension scheme for them," said Prameela Devi J, a member of the commission.
The KWC will conduct the study with the assistance of Non-Resident Keralites Association, a Kerala government entity, created for the welfare of overseas Keralites.
"A comprehensive study is among the various strategies planned to improve the welfare of South Indian women in the GCC, especially those with lower incomes, who face a bleak future once they return home after working there for many years," Times of Oman quoted her as saying.
The initial study reveals that women from the lower income group often return home empty-handed. "Our plan is to start a contributory pension scheme for them after studying an ongoing contributory pension scheme for overseas Keralites," she added.
The proposed study will also cover Kerala women entrepreneurs.
The KWC is a statutory body under the Kerala government working for the welfare of women.