Lok Sabha Question No. 1092 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-03
Subject: Detained Migrant Labourers
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Rahul Kaswan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1092

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.12.2021

## DETAINED MIGRANT LABOURERS

## † 1092.  SHRI RAHUL KASWAN:

Will the Ministry of External Affairs be please to state:

- (a) the number of Indian migrant labourers detained in eighteen nations of West Asia at present indicating the reasons for their detention, country-wise;
- (b) the number of complaints country-wise received by the Indian Missions in those countries regarding migrant labourers; and
- (c) the action taken by the Indian Mission in this regard?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

(a) About 3493 Indian migrant labourers are presently detained in West Asian   countries   on   charges   of   accident,   murder,   cheque   fraud,   drug trafficking,   human   trafficking,   sexual   offence,   robbery,   illegal   stay, financial   embezzlement,   drunken   driving,   assault,   bribery,   kidnapping, forgery etc. The list of country wise number of Indian Migrant Labourers detained is enclosed at Annexure-I.

(b) About 19200 complaints were received  by the Indian Missions / Posts regarding migrant labourers.  The list of country-wise number of complaints received is enclosed at Annexure-II.

(c) The Indian Missions/Posts make all possible efforts to help Indian migrant   labourers   in   distress,   through   measures   such   as   providing boarding   and   lodging,   air   ticket   for   repatriation   to   India,   emergency medical help and legal assistance from Indian Community Wefare Fund (ICWF).   The   officials   from   Missions   and   Posts   regularly   visit   Indian nationals imprisoned in jails and also make efforts to get the imprisoned Indian   nationals   released   from   foreign   jails,   wherever   possible,   by approaching the concerned Government auithorities of the host countries. On their   release,   Missions   and   Posts   facilitate   in   getting   their   travel documents for  their return to India. Moreover, Missions and Posts have 24X7  helplines   and   organise   Open   House   for   all   Indian   nationals   to address their grievances. Awareness campaigns are organised to educate the Indian workers about local laws. Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendras (PBSK) established in Jeddah, Riyadh and Dubai provide assistance to distressed Indian nationals including legal and psychological counseling.

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## Annexure-I

## Country Wise Number of Indian Migrant Labourers detained

| SI    | Country              | Number of detainees   |
|-------|----------------------|-----------------------|
| No.   |                      |                       |
| 1.    | Bahrain              | 99                    |
| 2.    | Iraq                 | 5                     |
| 3.    | Israel               | 0                     |
| 4.    | Jordan               | 14                    |
| 5.    | Kuwait               | 210                   |
| 6.    | Lebanon              | 4                     |
| 7.    | Oman                 | 46                    |
| 8.    | Palestine            | 0                     |
| 9.    | Qatar                | 497                   |
| 10.   | Saudi Arabia         | 1084                  |
| 11.   | Syria                | 0                     |
| 12.   | United Arab Emirates | 1533                  |
| 13.   | Yemen                | 1                     |
| Total | Total                | 3493                  |

## Annexure-II Country-wise complaints received in Missions/Posts

| SI    | Country              | Number of Complaints   |
|-------|----------------------|------------------------|
| No.   |                      |                        |
| 1.    | Bahrain              | 275                    |
| 2.    | Iraq                 | 60                     |
| 3.    | Israel               | 0                      |
| 4.    | Jordan               | 8                      |
| 5.    | Kuwait               | 3655                   |
| 6.    | Lebanon              | 15                     |
| 7.    | Oman                 | 810                    |
| 8.    | Palestine            | 0                      |
| 9.    | Qatar                | 3923                   |
| 10.   | Saudi Arabia         | 6248                   |
| 11.   | Syria                | 0                      |
| 12.   | United Arab Emirates | 4206                   |
| 13.   | Yemen                | 0                      |
| Total | Total                | 19200                  |

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