Most Indian deaths in UAE linked to stress: Figures

Dubai, Oct 4 (PTI) Natural deaths among Indian
expatriates in the UAE are mostly caused by stress-related
ailments, according to figures released by Indian Embassy in
Abu Dhabi.
According to the embassy records, among the 403 deaths
registered in 2009, about 71 per cent were natural deaths but
mostly caused by stress-related ailments. About 90 per cent of
the problems that cause stress among Indians are employment
related.
At a seminar, Promotion of Workplace Mental Health —
Corporate Social Responsibility Perspective, the officials
said that only 10 per cent of the grievances received by the
community welfare wing of the embassy were personal problems.
Indians, who number around 1.7 million in the UAE, are
the single largest expatriate community in the country.
Diabetes, CVA [cerebrovascular accidents or strokes]
and cardiac ailments are said to be the stress-related
ailments that caused these deaths.
M K Lokesh, Indian Ambassador to the UAE, said,"
Entrepreneurs have a greater role in ensuring the mental
health of their employees."
Most of the natural deaths caused by stress-related
ailments occurred at an average age of 41, said Dr K
Ellangovan, Counsellor and Head of the Community Welfare Wing
in the embassy.
"In similar cases the average age is 56 in India,
according to some studies," he said.
According to him, the trend was the same with the deaths
registered at the Indian Consulate General in Dubai.
About 7 per cent of the deaths were suicides, also caused
by mental stress, the official said.
About 15 per cent of the deaths were in accidents and
7 per cent were for other reasons, he added.
The embassy and the UAE Ministry of Labour are
joining hands to solve employment-related problems of Indians.
Both parties will reveal a web-based solution in
November to control recruitment scams and other related
problems, he said.
The embassy is setting up an Indian Workers' Resource
Centre with round-the-clock toll free number to receive the
grievances of Indians.
It is also considering opening counters in major airports
in the UAE also to educate incoming workers. PTI Corr
MHM