ICBF invites nominations to honour five long-serving labourers in Qatar

Reaching out to the blue-collar workforce, the Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF) has announced that it will honour five outstanding long-serving labourers on the occasion of the forum’s Labour Day celebrations.This comes as part of ICBF’s efforts to ensure the welfare of the workforce while making the organisation inclusive and accessible for all. The winners will be felicitated for their unwavering commitment and multiple contributions to Qatar's progress.Accordingly, ICBF is seeking nominations for its initiative to honour five long-serving labourers who have been residents of Qatar for more than 30 years. They will be honoured at the 'Labour Day Rang Tarang 2023' celebrations to be held at the Asian Town Cricket Stadium parking on May 26, from 5pm to 10pm."Individuals are being nominated for the award and the winners will be selected by an independent jury,” ICBF president Shanavas Bava said while addressing a press conference in this regard Saturday.Named Rang Tarang, the Labour Day celebration will be held in co-ordination with the Indian embassy. Some government departments are also expected to participate in this event, ICBF said in a press statement.The event will showcase a variety of cultural programmes featuring Indian blue-collar workers in Qatar, associate organisations of ICBF and various Indian cultural groups in the country. Indian embassy officials and eminent personalities from Qatar are expected to grace the occasion, according to ICBF.The organisers said the event will feature cultural performances and bring the labour community together amid a joyous atmosphere. "The event is a testament to ICBF's commitment to recognising and celebrating the hardworking individuals who have shaped the nation,” the ICBF president said.ICBF is inviting all community members to come forward and nominate individuals "who have tirelessly dedicated themselves" to their work and our community, and are working with an organisation or with their sponsor as domestic help. No freelancers are eligible to participate. "If you know someone deserving of this recognition, we encourage you to submit their names with following supporting documents," ICBF said in a public announcement.Individuals who have dedicated over three decades of their lives as low-income employees in Qatar will be considered for the award. Nominations can be sent to icbfqatar@gmail.com along with the name, length of residency in Qatar, nature of work and details of company or organisation. The nomination should include the contact details and brief description of the nominee. The deadline for the nomination is May 22.ICBF general secretary Varkey Boban can be contacted at 66100744 for further details. ICBF functionaries have urged all community members to nominate individuals.Explaining the recent accomplishments of the organisation, Bava said ICBF distributed Iftar kits during Ramadan. Food kits were distributed among needy labourers and fishermen. "The ICBF insurance desk has been set up at community events, further increasing awareness and participation in the insurance scheme,” he added.ICBF has been organising workshops for shelter inmates at the embassy, equipping them with essential skills and knowledge while covering various topics, including stitching, vocational training, art and craft, henna designing and language classes.The repatriation team has handled 26 death cases, ensuring the smooth return of the deceased to their home countries. "ICBF has been actively engaged in supporting jail visitation and assisting the relatives of inmates,” the ICBF president said.Advisory Board chairman S A M Basheer, general secretary Boban, vice-president Deepak Shetty, Programme Committee chairman Vinod Nair, secretary Mohamed Kunhi T K and treasurer Kuldeep Kaur were also present.