Lok Sabha Question No. 1769 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-26
Subject: Cheating of Indian Professionals
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: SRINIVAS KESINENI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1769 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2017

## CHEATING OF INDIAN PROFESSIONALS

1769. SHRI KESINENI NANI:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of support mechanisms provided by the Government for  Indian  citizens  lured  to  the  Gulf  countries  with  promises  of high-paying jobs who end up with menial jobs;
- (b) whether the Government has taken the issue of mistreatment of blue-collar workers from India with Gulf countries and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether thousands of unpaid Indian workers in Saudi Arabia have been  successfully  brought  back  to  India  and  if  so,  the  details thereof; and
- (d) the  details  of  the  further  diplomatic  options  taken  by  India  to prevent such situation in future?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

- (a) The institutional framework for support and welfare of overseas Indians  has  been  considerably  strengthened  over  the  last  few  years. The  Indian  Community  Welfare  Fund  (ICWF),  the  MADAD  Portal,  eMigrate  system,  shelter  homes,  etc.  are  some  of  the  important mechanisms  to  expeditiously  assist  Indian  nationals  abroad.  Shelter Homes  for  distressed  Indian  nationals  have  been  set  up  in  Bahrain, Kuwait,  Malaysia,  Qatar,  Saudi  Arabia  and  United  Arab  Emirates. Missions in Gulf countries also conduct Open Houses on regular basis where  workers  can  convey  their  grievances.  There  is  a  mandatory insurance and medical cover under Pravasi Bhartiya Bima Yojna for all Indian  workers  holding  Emigration  Check  Required  (ECR)  Passport having Emigration Clearance for going to 18 notified ECR countries for
- overseas  employment.  The  Yojana  has  been  strengthened  for  the benefit of such workers. (b) Complaints of mistreatment are received, from time to time, from Indian emigrant  workers  in 18 notified ECR  countries regarding violation  of  contractual  terms,  adverse  working  conditions,  wage related  issues,  employer  related  problems,  medical  and  insurance related  problems  and  compensation/death  claims.  Immediately  on receipt of such complaints, the same are forwarded to the concerned Indian Mission/Post abroad for taking them up with the host Government  authorities  on  priority for urgent redressal/resolution within  the  ambit  of  MOUs  signed  with  the  Gulf  countries.  Wherever necessary the Ministry/Mission takes up the matter with the respective Government. (c) Owing  to  economic  slowdown  in  Saudi  Arabia  due  to  weak  oil prices,  there  was delay in payment of salaries to the workers and in some cases, salaries had not been paid for several months.  There have also been retrenchments due to closure or downsizing of the companies.  The Indian nationals working with two major Saudi companies, viz., Saudi Oger and SAAD Group, Dammam, had reported, around the middle of 2016, to the Embassy that they were not being paid for the last several months; and that in some labour camps food was  also  not  provided  for  some  days.  The  Government  took  up  the matter  of  these  workers  with  the  concerned  Saudi  authorities.  As  a result,  the  Saudi  Government  arranged  resumption  of  food  supply  to the affected camps, provided exit visas and one way return ticket to India,  to  most  of  the  affected  workers,  seeking  return  to  India.  Our Embassy in Riyadh has repatriated 3016 workers and our Consulate in Jeddah has sent back 1973 workers to India till 18.07.2017. (d) The  Government  is  working  in  close  coordination  with  foreign Governments to address concerns related to employment and welfare of Indian workers. Labour and Manpower Cooperation Agreements/MoUs are already in place with Jordan, Malaysia and the six  Gulf  countries.  These  Agreements/MoUs  provide  the  institutional framework for comprehensive discussions and review of these matters from time to time in the periodic meetings of Joint Working Groups.

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