Kochi: A new rule stipulating that all those going abroad to work as individuals on a single visa and not as a group should deposit money with the Protector of Emigrants has badly hit workers. The rule came into effect on 16 November and is applicable to all those requiring clearance — who don't have a graduation degree — from the Protector of Emigrants.

Kerala Association of Travel Agents president K V Muraleedharan says the new rule will actually help emigration officials to get hefty amounts by way of bribes. "The number of people being granted emigration clearance has dropped sharply. On an average, close to 1,200 people are granted emigration clearance in Kerala every day. Of them, about 500 will have to deposit the money. We know for certain that the number of people who have paid the deposit is very few and those who do not have the money to bribe are waiting."

Protector of Emigrants K Sudhakaran says before the new rule 175 people will be cleared. "Since the new rule was implemented, we have cleared just two who deposited the amount. It could be a possibility that passengers are going through Mumbai, but I don't know anything."

Kerala has a record 1.6 million non-resident Keralites (NRKs), of which close to 80 per cent are in the Gulf. Kerala Minister for NRKs M M Hassan says the government is aware of the hardships and it is doing its best to highlight the problem at the centre. "[Kerala Chief Minister] A K Antony will take up the issue at a parliamentarians' conference next week."