• The State Government has expressed its resolve to strengthen its engagement with the diaspora of Keralites spread across the world. Remittances from migrant workers have contributed to the mobilisation of savings and to the overall economic growth of the State. In fact, the incomes from remittances have created demand for a range of material and cultural goods produced in Kerala. The close ties that migrants maintain with their families and friends in Kerala have benefited the State in many ways, including by helping new generations of Keralites to find employment outside the State. Considering the facts a special focus will be given to the welfare of NRKs in the 13th Five-Year Plan.
• Migrants form part of a larger Kerala society. They participate actively in multiple spheres of Kerala’s
  economy, society and culture (including literature, music, cinema, and religious events). Given such a context, it is important that the members of diaspora are given an opportunity to participate in debates and social processes in the State.
• Periodic migration surveys and the creation of an online real time database of NRKs are high on the list of priorities. At the same time, the State will work with the Central government to formulate an enlightened emigration policy. The 13th Plan will support steps to provide legal aid to the needy among the migrants, impart finishing skills to potential migrants through pre-emigration training, ensure speedy authentication of relevant certificates, and regulate the activities of intermediaries and service providers (such as airline companies). The State will design insurance and social security programmes to benefit the migrants, and evolve a comprehensive rehabilitation programme for migrant returnees.
• At the same time, the 13th Plan will aim to promote entrepreneurship by NRKs and also seek investments by them in Kerala. Kerala will welcome a “reverse brain drain” and transfer of knowledge, technology and expertise to the State through its migrants. The State will promote business and cultural visits to and from Kerala by teams involving NRKs. The Plan will support global cultural festivals involving non-resident Keralites.
• Another policy priority will be to form a non-profit trust namely the Kerala Development Fund (similar to the India Development Fund) to raise funds from any NRK individual or organization. This will help to channel investments by the migrants into the development of productive areas within Kerala.
• China’s experience with overseas Chinese has shown that when the home territory has a government that has credibility and in which non-residents have confidence, material and moral incentives can be mobilised among the overseas population to invest and stimulate economic development. We believe that we have a Government with that credibility in Kerala today.

• Sector of migration would be constantly subjected to detailed analysis for assessing opportunities for gainful employment.
• Labour and Employment opportunities in developed economies and newly emerging markets would be mapped for focussed access to such avenues. Short to medium term deployment of highly skilled and highly remunerated professionals in developed countries would be emphasised.
• Skilling would be elevated to international standards ensuring due certification from accredited agencies of repute so that Keralites can ensure their footprint in developmental sectors throughout the globe.
• Customised and expert level training would be given to chosen candidates after ascertaining specific requirements of major international organisations with assurance for deployment in such organisations.
• More concerted efforts would be taken in association with key stakeholders for revamping the rehabilitation package for returned non resident Keralites.
• Recruitment division would be strengthened and it would be transformed into such a dynamic division that reputed employers around the globe choose NORKA ROOTS for its staffing requirements.
• Detailed and specific qualifications and experience of employees shall be provided. An expert agency’s assistance will be obtained in verifying the credentials of employees to ensure their correctness.
• Pre-departure training and orientation would be modernised to reflect latest aspects of safe migration. Intensive awareness campaigns would be exercised to make migration a gainful one.
• Online data base of NRKs would be constructed and maintained as a permanent platform so as to dynamically reflect their status and other vital information.
• Institute of migration studies for high level research and study on all issues related to migration and allied subjects.
• For interaction between the State and NRKs, Loka Kerala Sabha will be formed with members of the State Legislative Assembly and representative of NRKs nominated by the State Government in proportion of population of NRKs in host countries/regions.
• Global Kerala Cultural Festival involving NRKs need to be promoted whereby NRKs can be invited to participate in cultural activities of the State as well as share the art and culture of the country, region and State they are presently residing.
• Awareness Campaign on visa cheating would be priority. Strategies as to periodicity, frequency and mode of advertisement will be devised after detailed study of individual programme.

Recognition of the diaspora is very crucial and one of the effective ways is to provide a forum for representation where they can associate and link to their home State. Considering the importance of the interaction between State and NRKs, the Loka Kerala Sabha will be formed with members of the State Legislative Assembly and representatives of NRKs nominated by the State Government in proportion to the percentage of population of NRKs in host countries/regions. This Sabha will discuss and deliberate on issues related to NRKs and will help in forging a link between Kerala existing within and outside the State. This Sabha, which will meet at least twice in a year, will be advisory in nature and will provide a forum to voice the concerns of NRKs and also contribute towards policy formulation.

Rehabilitation of Return Migrants- The aim of the scheme is to reintegrate returned emigrants by helping them to find suitable employment/self employment as a step towards their rehabilitation. Government has formulated Norka Department Project for Return Emigrants (NDPREM) to develop a sustainable business model. The project envisages providing a capital subsidy of 15 per cent of the total project cost as a backend subsidy and 3 per cent of interest subvention to eligible entrepreneurs among return emigrants who wish to start their own ventures in the field of agri-business,training,services and manufacturing.

Santhwana- This scheme is for providing financial assistance to NRKs (returnees) whose minimum period of service abroad is of two years and the period after return does not exceed 10 years. For medical assistance 50,000 is provided and a maximum 100,000 is provided as death assistance. Marriage assistance is 15,000 and for wheel chair crèches and artificial limbs, 10,000 is provided as assistance. There are 2,700 NRKs who have benefitted from the scheme in 2015-16 and 2016-17.

Swapna Saphalyam- The lower segments of Non–Resident Keralites working abroad especially in Gulf countries are subjected to various miseries due to lack of labour protection rules. It is estimated that 1,200 Indians are jailed in Saudi Arabia alone, of which 50 per cent being NRKs.The scheme is to address those NRKs jailed abroad for no wilful default on their part and aims to provide free air tickets when they are released from jails and are not able to afford the tickets.

Pravasi Legal Assistance (Pravasi Legal Aid Cell)- One of the major problems faced by the migrant workers from Kerala to the Middle East Countries is the court cases and other legal problems they get into. In the absence of any sort of legal help, the poor workers end up in the jail. This happens even in the cases of minor offence or sometimes where no offence has been committed. Government proposes to extend legal assistance, including appearance in courts abroad, through the Indian Diplomatic Missions or through advocates empaneled by the Indian Mission.

24 Hours Help Line/Call Centres- The scheme intends to disseminate information on various schemes/projects implemented by Government and NORKA ROOTS, redress grievances of NRKs, conduct counselling to NRKs who are in distress, create awareness among emigrants and prospective emigrants against illegal exploitation, migration etc. and to act as a frontline service facilitator/one point client interaction point for NRKs. It also aims to provide need-based information and assistance to emigrants through the proposed helpline.

Pre Departure Orientation Programme- There is lack of awareness among people in matters connected with emigration in general and overseas job in particular. The scheme is intended to impart orientation and training to these prospective emigrants before departing to their destination countries so as to ensure legal migration. The widespread rural penetration of this scheme will limit cases of illegal migration and exploitation by unscrupulous recruiting agents.