Lok Sabha Question No. 1057 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-25
Subject: Helpline for Indian Workers in Gulf Countries
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Dhaval Laxmanbhai Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 1057

ANSWERED ON - 25/07/2025

HELPLINE FOR INDIAN WORKERS IN GULF COUNTRIES

1057. SHRI DHAWAL LAXMANBHAI PATEL

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the number of helplines and grievance redressal mechanisms for Indian workers, particularly from Gujarat, in the Gulf countries; (b) whether any labour welfare MoUs have been signed recently with UAE, Oman or Saudi Arabia, if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the steps taken by the Government to promote local language legal aid or consular services for migrant workers?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (c)  The Government of India accords highest priority to the safety, protection and well-being of Indian workers abroad, including in   Gulf   countries. The   Government   has   established   various mechanisms to enable Indian workers abroad, including those from the State of Gujarat, to reach out to the Indian Missions in case they need any assistance. Indian workers can contact the Missions/Posts through   various   channels   like   walk-in,   email,   social   media, multilingual 24x7 emergency numbers and also grievance redressal portals like MADAD,   CPGRAMS   etc.   In   addition, Indian Missions/Posts   abroad   have   established   Toll   Free   Helplines, WhatsApp numbers and have launched mobile Apps to enable Indian nationals contact respective Indian Missions/Posts when in distress or in emergency situation.

The Missions in Gulf Countries have provisions to assist Indian women  in   distress   by   providing   boarding   and   lodging,   medical treatment and arranging for their repatriation. Female workers, who are stranded or in distress, can approach the Embassies at any time of   the   day   and   are   provided   all   necessary   facilitation   till   their repatriation to India.

Besides, 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 nationals in distress.

Further,   the   Government   has   taken   several   initiatives   such   as Pravasi Bhartiya Bima Yojna (PBBY) and Pre-Departure Orientation & Training (PDOT) in ensuring that Indian migrant workers undertake safe   migration,   have   decent   working   and   living   conditions   in destination countries, are aware of their rights and have access to various welfare schemes of the Government.

Further, as additional safeguard for protection and safety of Female workers especially those holding ECR category passports (including domestic   sector   workers)   who   are   vulnerable,   Government   has authorized only State run Recruiting Agencies (RAs) to recruit Indian female ECR category workers for overseas employment in Gulf and other ECR notified countries through the e-Migrate Portal. Moreover, there is a minimum age criteria of 30 years for female workers holding ECR category passport for overseas employment, to protect them against exploitation.

The   Missions/Posts   utilize   the   Indian   Community   Welfare   Fund

(ICWF) from time to time to provide financial and legal assistance to Indian national in distress abroad on a means-tested basis. Under ICWF,   the   major   assistance   includes   Boarding   &   Lodging,   Air Passage   to   India,   Legal   Assistance,   Emergency   Medical   Care, Transportation of Mortal Remains to India, and Payment of Small Fines and Penalties. (b) Labour and Manpower Cooperation Agreements are in place with the Gulf countries including the UAE (2018), Oman (2008) and Saudi Arabia   (2016).   These   MoUs   and   Agreements   have   provisions   of implementation   through   a   Joint   Working   Group,   where   matters related to welfare and protection of workers are taken up during regular meetings with the concerned countries.

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