“My life has always been about the hustle for survival. Before I ever thought of going to the Gulf, I was just a young man in Jagityal trying to keep my family afloat. When my father passed away due to medical negligence, the entire burden fell on me. I didn’t want my mother to see me struggling, so I borrowed my uncle’s rickshaw and drove it secretly at night to earn. Eventually, I became a Karate trainer, but the ‘Red Corridor’ tensions made it unsafe to stay. To provide, I had to look beyond my hometown. That’s when I set my sights on the Gulf—not for luxury, but for survival.

I spent 18 years in Saudi Arabia, Dubai, and Bahrain as a driver and painter. Back home, people see the ‘Gulf Dream,’ and of course, there are millions who have fulfilled their dreams there. However, I also saw workers—though they may be few—who were treated like disposable machines and stripped of their dignity. I promised myself: If I ever make it back, I won’t let others suffer alone. Since returning in 2004, I’ve fought for those workers. A major part of my work is securing compensation for workplace accidents. Many companies try to ignore their responsibility when a migrant is injured or killed. I step in to ensure that the law works for the laborer, not just the employer.

But my biggest message to our youth is this: Go legally. Please, do not trust these unauthorized agents who charge ₹2 to 3 lakhs for a visa that should only cost around ₹35,000 in official fees.
They sell you a dream but trap you in a nightmare. Use official government channels; don’t gamble with your life on a fake visa.

The most sensitive part of my work is bringing home those who didn’t make it back. I ensure their remains return with honor so families can say a proper goodbye. I get threatening calls every day from fraudsters, but I’m not scared. I’ve been a fighter since my rickshaw-pulling days. This #LabourDay, remember that a worker’s dignity shouldn’t end at the border. I won’t stop until the system finally protects those who build our world.”

— Shaik Chand Pasha, Convener, TPCC NRI Cell & Founder, Gulf Returning Members Welfare Society