Kerala nurses miss Iraq

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala nurses who have a valid work visa for Iraq are urging the state government to arrange for their return to that country to join duty.

These nurses were in India on annual leave when trouble broke out in Iraq in July this year.

"By now I have received almost a dozen calls from such nurses, who are asking us to see that we make arrangements for them to resume work in Iraq as they have a valid visa and an employment contract," said an official at the chief minister's office preferring anonymity.

In July, around 350 Keralite nurses in Iraq were brought back after militants took control of certain areas there.

The chief minister's office has asked these nurses to approach the ministry of external affairs.

P. Sudeep, CEO of Roots Norka, told IANS that currently no fresh ECR (emigration check required) clearance is being given to anyone who wants to travel to Iraq for taking up a job.

However, sources at the Thiruvananthapuram international airport said that those passengers who have a valid visa to Iraq are going.

"After emigration clearance to such people, their names and address are recorded separately before they are allowed to board the aircraft," said an official who did not wish to be identified.