Changing labour policies across the Middle East are reshaping employment prospects for migrant workers from Kerala. Gulf countries are increasingly prioritising skilled and certified professionals as part of workforce localisation programmes, reducing demand for low-skilled migrant labour. This shift has prompted many Malayali jobseekers to reassess career paths before moving overseas.
Recruitment agencies report rising demand for technicians, healthcare workers, electricians and IT professionals in countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Candidates with formal training and recognised certifications are securing better wages and longer-term contracts compared to those without specialised skills.
In response, skill-development centres in Kerala are witnessing increased enrolment in vocational and language courses tailored for Gulf employment. State officials say aligning training programmes with Gulf market requirements has become essential to sustaining overseas job opportunities.
Experts warn that without systematic upskilling, Kerala’s traditional labour migration model may weaken. They stress that future Kerala–Gulf employment ties will depend more on expertise and adaptability than sheer workforce numbers.
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