Mangaluru: With Saudi Arabia and other West Asian countries tightening visa norms and recruiting locals to many jobs, there will be an exodus of Indian immigrants to the country.

Like the Kerala government, Karnataka should forthwith take steps to address the concerns of the large number of immigrants hailing from Dakshina Kannada and other neighbouring districts, said Muneer Katipalla, State president, Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), here on Friday.

Mr. Katipalla said Indian immigrants have been returning home following Nitaqat, the Saudi Nationalisation Scheme that came into effect three years ago. Immigrants are also affected by the economic slowdown, tightening of visa norms, increase in taxes and preference for locals for jobs in the West Asian countries.

Mr. Katipalla said many immigrants are likely to return to India in the coming months. West Asian nations are employing locals in mobile shops, electronics gadgets’ showrooms, malls, garment outlets and vehicle spare parts outlets, where a large number of Indians used to once be employed. “Of nearly one crore Indians working in West Asian countries, 32 lakh are based in Saudi Arabia.

Of this, about 10 lakh are from Karnataka. A majority of them hail from Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Chikkamagaluru and Malnad region. Those working in Gulf nations have been sending money to their families here and contributing to the Foreign Exchange reserve of the country.

They have contributed to the growth of economy and improved the education sector in Dakshina Kannada,” he said.

Just like the Kerala government, the State should intervene and help these immigrants. The Government should bring out schemes for livelihood of the immigrants namely providing interest-free loans to set up a business and reservation of jobs in firms here.

The government should send their representatives to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries to address the concerns of Indian immigrants. Mr. Katiapalla said a memorandum to the Chief Minister was submitted to Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner on Thursday.