Doha: Pravasi Welfare has launched a month-long campaign titled  'Puthuyuga Keralam' (New Era Kerala) to prepare a comprehensive People's Charter for Expatriate Rights, bringing together the voices, concerns, and aspirations of Malayali expatriates across the globe. The campaign, which runs from June 10 to 30 under the slogan "The Expatriates Also Have a Say", seeks to gather public opinion on key expatriate issues and present a representative charter to the new Kerala government later this month.

Organizers noted that Kerala's growth and prosperity have been significantly shaped by the contributions of expatriates, particularly those working in the Gulf region. For decades, millions of Malayalis have left their homeland and families in search of opportunities abroad, and the remittances they send home have played a vital role in strengthening Kerala's economy. Despite their immense contribution, many expatriates continue to face challenges that remain inadequately addressed.

From basic travel-related concerns to difficulties in obtaining and processing essential documents, expatriates encounter numerous obstacles throughout their lives. Organizers also pointed out that while expatriates and their families constitute a substantial section of Kerala's population, there is still no dedicated ministry focused exclusively on expatriate affairs, nor is there an accurate database reflecting the number of Malayalis living in different countries.

According to Pravasi Welfare leaders, the campaign is intended to become a historic people's movement that unites Malayalis around a common cause. The experiences, expectations, grievances, and aspirations of expatriates - many of which have surfaced repeatedly over the years without being systematically documented - will be compiled into a People's Charter for Expatriate Rights. The document is expected to serve as both a policy roadmap and a statement of the collective dignity and aspirations of the expatriate community.

As part of the initiative, Pravasi Welfare will organize consultations involving social activists, entrepreneurs, and women, while also collecting feedback through social media platforms. A dedicated webpage will be launched to enable expatriates to easily submit their opinions and suggestions using their mobile phones. The platform will also allow Malayalis residing in other Gulf countries and different parts of the world to participate in the campaign.

Addressing a press conference in Doha, Pravasi Welfare President R. Chandramohan, Vice President Ahmed Shafi, General Secretary Sharafudheen C., and Media Secretary Rabeehuzaman called upon expatriates and the wider public to actively support the initiative. They emphasized that the People's Charter will reflect the genuine needs and expectations of expatriate Malayalis and help advocate for policies that recognize, protect, and strengthen their rights and welfare.

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