UP, Bihar Replace Kerala As Top Supplier Of Blue-Collar Workforce To Gulf Nations: Report
According to a report published on Friday, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have begun to replace Kerala, which was a significant contributor to the blue-collar workforce, from India to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.
According to a report by blue-collar worker placement platform Huntr, there has been a significant shift in migration patterns over the last decade, with Kerala witnessing a 90 per cent drop in workforce going to Middle Eastern countries. The void left by Kerala was filled by Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Bihar, which are emerging as the top two contributors to the Gulf migration landscape.
According to the report, the top five labor-sending states are UP, Bihar, Kerala, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, with the preferred destinations remaining Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman. According to the report, blue-collar worker migration from India to the GCC increased by 50 per cent in the first seven months of 2023.
The demographic profile of Indian migrants to Dubai in 2023 shows a workforce primarily concentrated in the 20-40 age group, indicating individuals in their prime working years.
Historically male-dominated, the workforce landscape is changing, with a significant increase in female migrants, particularly in the hospitality sector, according to the report.
Qualifications among migrants range widely, from minimal formal education to vocational training, with skillsets tailored to specific job roles, according to the report, which also stated that the majority of these migrants come from lower-income families, driven by the desire for better financial conditions through opportunities in Dubai's robust job market.
Construction workers, manufacturing technicians, hospitality staff and healthcare support staff are among the job roles expected to grow in Dubai in 2024, according to the report.
