Lok Sabha Question No. 348 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-03
Subject: Indian Workers Stuck Abroad
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Jagdambika Pal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

ANSWERED ON- 03/02/2023

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-348

## INDIAN WORKERS STUCK ABROAD

## 348.  SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL

Will the Minister of External Affairs be pleased to state :-

(a) the number of Indians living abroad who got stuck and had sought help from the Indian Government during the last three years;

(b) the details of the initiatives started by the Government for the workers living abroad in need of emergency help;

(c) whether the number of people going to gulf countries for work has increased during the last five years, if so, the details thereof, year-wise;

(d)   whether   the   Government   regulate   the   agents   or   the   institutions   which   take   the responsibility of providing jobs to Indians in foreign countries; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## (SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN)

(a)  Indians living abroad who got stuck in foreign countries during the last three years for various reasons such as COVID-19 induced flight restrictions and conflicts in Afghanistan and Ukraine.  Government of India successfully facilitated travel of 3.2 crore people (with inbound and outbound) under Vande Bharat Mission including Air Bubble arrangements; 18,278  under  operation   Ganga   from   Ukraine;   and   669   people   from   Afghanistan   under Operation Devi Shakti.

(b) The Government has taken several steps to safeguard the interests of Indian emigrants. These include:

Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF): Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) has been set up in all Indian Missions and Posts abroad to assist Overseas Indian nationals in times of distress and emergency. Fund is used to provide legal assistance, Boarding & Lodging   assistance,   Emergency   medical   care,   air   passage   to   stranded   Indians   and transportation of mortal remains of Indian nationals.

Labor   and   Manpower   Cooperation   MOUs/Agreements   that   provide   the   overarching framework for cooperation on labour and manpower related issues are in place with the Gulf

Cooperation Council countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates) and Jordan. These MOUs and Agreements have provision of implementation through Joint Working Groups. Further, to safeguard the specific interest of domestic workers in GCC Countries, agreements on Labor Cooperation for Domestic Sector have been signed with Saudi Arabia, UAE and  Kuwait.

Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana:  Government has been effectively implementing Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana (PBBY) as a mandatory insurance scheme for all Emigration Check Required   (ECR)   category   workers   going   to   ECR   countries.   The   scheme   provides   an insurance cover of 10 Lakhs in case of accidental death or permanent disability and  other benefits.

In addition, there are various other mechanisms in place for the welfare and protection of Indian nationals abroad like MADAD, eMigrate portal, Pravasi Bhartiya Sahayata Kendra (PBSK), etc.  Dedicated Labour / Community Welfare wings have been established in Indian Missions and Posts in the countries with large number of Indian workers.  Missions have also established 24x7 Helplines and Toll Free Helplines for the benefit of Indian workers to seek help.

(c) The year-wise numbers of Indian workers going to the Gulf countries during past five years, as per data available with the eMigrate portal is enclosed as Annexure A .

(d   &   e)   Recruitment   for   overseas   employment   is   regulated   as   per   the   provisions   of Emigration Act, 1983. All Recruitment Agencies dealing with recruitment of Indian workers having Emigration Check Required (ECR) Passport for overseas employment in 18 ECR category countries need mandatory registration with Ministry of External Affairs.

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The year-wise number of Indian workers going to the Gulf Countries during last five years  as per e-Migrate Portal

| Sl. No.   | Countries   |   2018 |   2019 |   2020 |   2021 |   2022 |
|-----------|-------------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|
| 1         | KSA         |  72399 | 161103 |  44316 |  32845 | 178630 |
| 2         | UAE         | 112059 |  76112 |  17891 |  10844 |  33233 |
| 3         | Kuwait      |  57613 |  45712 |   8107 |  10158 |  71432 |
| 4         | Qatar       |  34471 |  31810 |   8907 |  49579 |  30871 |
| 5         | Oman        |  36037 |  28392 |   7206 |  19452 |  31994 |
| 6         | Bahrain     |   9142 |   9997 |   4175 |   6382 |  10232 |
|           | Total       | 321721 | 353126 |  90602 | 129260 | 356392 |

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