Pravasi Legal Cell has urged the Indian Ministry of External Affairs to withdraw its decision to raise consular service fees in the Gulf Region.
The Daily Tribune of Bahrain reports that the Cell argued that the move would severely strain the financial resources of Indian migrant workers.
In a memorandum submitted to the ministry, Advocate Jose Abraham, the body’s global president, pointed out the disproportionate impact of the increased Consular, Passport, and Visa (CPV) fees on blue-collar workers.
The new fee infrastructure has increased consular service charges from SAR 50-75 to SAR 200-300 in Saudi Arabia and from BHD 5-10 to BHD 20-30 in Bahrain. Pravasi Legal Cell’s global spokesperson, Sudheer Thirunilath, called for an immediate review, warning that workers may be unable to renew essential documents, jeopardising their employment and legal status.
Migrant remittances are a major contributor to India’s economy. The organization warned that rising service costs could force many to return home, harming both their families and the nation’s economy.
The organization also warned that the fee hike could push many migrant workers into debt and erode their trust in the Indian government, leaving them abandoned at a critical time.
