Lok Sabha Question No. 1949 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-02
Subject: Indian Expatriates trapped in Foreign
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Dr. M P Abdussamad Samadani

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1949

ANSWERED ON- 02/08/2024

## INDIAN EXPATRIATES TRAPPED IN FOREIGN

1949. DR. M P ABDUSSAMAD SAMADANI

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

(a)   whether   the   Government   is   aware   of   the   unfortunate   situation   of several Indian expatriates being trapped in foreign countries and exploited for illegal activities, including online cheating;

(b)   if   so,   the   steps   taken/proposed   to   be   taken   by   the   Government   to ensure the safety and well-being of these expatriates, including diplomatic efforts   or   agreements   with   the   concerned   foreign   Governments   to facilitate the safe return of these expatriates to India; and

(c) whether the Government has any plan to prevent such incidents in future  and   to   conduct   awareness   campaigns   and   support   systems   for expatriates and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a) Some cases have come to the notice of the Ministry where Indian nationals are being trapped in foreign countries including Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia and being exploited for illegal activities including online cheating. (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, if any, received from them.  Our Missions/Posts abroad remain vigilant and actively monitor, in case any Indian national in any foreign country is in distress or have any grievance. On receipt of such complaints, our Missions/Posts abroad take prompt action and appropriate measures to assist and provide relief to the aggrieved Indian national. Missions/Posts also take up these issues with the local Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other concerned Government agencies  of the host countries like  Immigration, Labour Department, Home Affairs, Defence and Border Affairs   and   law   enforcement   agencies   etc.,   for   prompt   redressal. Government of India also takes up this issue at political level with the concerned Governments on numerous occasions. 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) Ministry keeps issuing advisories including on social media platforms and media briefings   about   fake   job   rackets   from   time   to   time.   Such communications   are   also   issued   by   concerned   Indian   Missions/Posts abroad through their websites, social media handles and through the print media. The Ministry through Indian Missions/Posts abroad, takes pro-active measures to rescue Indian nationals trapped in foreign countries whenever such cases come to the notice of the Ministry.

As   and   when   complaints   of   illegal   migration/human   trafficking   are received, such matters are referred to the State police for investigation and prosecution. Information about illegal agents is also uploaded and updated on regular basis on the e-Migrate Portal.  The e-Migrate portal publishes the list of legal and illegal recruitment agencies and, a total of 3,042 illegal agents have been notified on the portal till June 2024.

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