Lok Sabha Question No. 1971 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-02
Subject: Grievances of Indian Workers
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Rao Rajendra Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1971

ANSWERED ON- 02/08/2024

## GRIEVANCES OF INDIAN WORKERS

1971. SHRI RAO RAJENDRA SINGH

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-

(a) whether the Government is aware of difficulties being faced by the   Indian migrant labour population abroad, especially in Middle Eastern countries such as Kuwait, Qatar etc., if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government has been in contact with the respective Governments in order to represent the interest of the workers and address their grievances, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(c)   whether   the   Government   has   any   existing   mechanism/ framework to stay in contact with such workers, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

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

## (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a) It has been noticed that some of the  Indian  labourers abroad, especially   in   the   Middle   Eastern   countries,   sometimes   faces difficulties.   Most  of  the   these   complaints  are regarding  delay  in payment or non-payment of salaries as well as that of end of service benefits, unauthorized retention of passports, longer working hours, non-provision of leaves, not providing overtime wages, offering jobs different to that promised at the time of recruitment, unemployment due to sudden closure of companies, problem while changing the employers, problem related to accommodation, denial of legitimate labour   rights,   ill   treatment/harassment,   non-issuance/renewal   of residence   permits, non-cancellation   of   visas, refusal   to   grant exit/re-entry permits to visit India, refusal to allow return to India on final   exit   visa   after   completion   of   contracts,   non-provision   of medical and insurance facilities, and not being paid compensation upon death etc. (b) The Government accords highest priority to the safety, security and well-being of Indian nationals abroad and has robust mechanism to monitor the grievances received from the Indian workers abroad. On receipt   of   such   complaints,   our   Missions/Posts   abroad   take

prompt action and appropriate measures to assist and provide relief to the aggrieved Indian worker. The matter is immediately taken up with employers/sponsors, and the Recruiting Agencies in India for amicable resolution. If the dispute is not resolved, the matter is also taken up with the local authorities like labour, immigration, and law enforcement agencies and pursued till its resolution. Missions/Posts also take up these grievances with the local Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other concerned Government agencies during the high level meetings and as and when required.

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.   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. (c)   The   Government   has   established  various   channels   to   enable

Indian workers abroad to reach out to the Mission/Post in case they need any assistance. The workers can contact the Missions/Posts through   walk-in   interview,   email,   multilingual   24x7   emergency

numbers, grievance redressal portal like MADAD, CPGRAMS, and eMigrate, and social media etc. Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendras (PBSK) have been set up in New Delhi and at Dubai (UAE), Riyadh & Jeddah (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) to provide assistance, guidance, and counselling to Indian workers in distress. Missions/Posts in Gulf Countries also have dedicated labour wings which ensure prompt redressal of labour grievances. Indian   Missions/Posts   also   regularly   organize   Open   House   and Consular   camps   in   remote   areas   as   well   to   interact   and   get feedback   from   the   Indian   workers   abroad   and   address   their grievances, if any. *****

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