Lok Sabha Question No. 818 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-26
Subject: Labourers Employed in Middle Eastern Countries
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-818

ANSWERED ON- 26/07/2024

LABOURERS EMPLOYED IN MIDDLE EASTERN COUNTRIES

818. SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY

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

(a) whether a large number of skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled labourers from India are employed in the Middle Eastern countries, if so, the details thereof and the categories of employment offered to them in these countries,

(b) whether the Government has maintained the count of such unskilled, semiskilled and skilled workers employed in these foreign nations, and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether large number of cases of accidents and deaths of labourers are reported during their services/jobs in these countries and if so, the details thereof, country-wise; and

- (d) the process and support given by the embassies to these Indian Nationals working abroad as unskilled or skilled labourers?

## ANSWER

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

(a & b) A large number of skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled labourers from India are employed in various sectors like construction, oil & gas, food and beverage   industry,   hospitality,   retail,   housekeeping,   domestic   works, warehousing   and   logistics,   healthcare,   engineering,   IT,   finance,   farming, manufacturing,   transport,   port   and   shipping,   tourism,   mining,   education, wholesale, retail, automobiles, domestic works such as plumbers, electricians, drivers,   maids,   cleaners,   and   cooks   etc. As   per   the   updated   information available with our Missions/Posts in GCC Countries, the estimated number of Indians (including workers) is tabulated below:

| Country              | Estimated number of Indians (including workers)   |
|----------------------|---------------------------------------------------|
| Bahrain              | 3,50,000                                          |
| Kuwait               | 10,00,726                                         |
| Oman                 | 6,73,000                                          |
| Qatar                | 8,35,000                                          |
| Saudi Arabia         | 26,45,302                                         |
| United Arab Emirates | 35,54,274                                         |
| Total                | 92,58,302                                         |

This   Ministry   maintains   the   data   in   respect   of   Indian   workers,   holding Emigration   Check   Required   (ECR)   passports,   proceeding   for   overseas employment through e-Migrate portal to any of the 18 ECR countries. Countrywise details of Emigration Clearance issued to Indian workers holding ECR passports and migrating to 18 ECR countries for employment during 2023 and 2024(till 30 June) is enclosed as Annexure.

(c) The cases of death of Indian workers due to accidents and other reasons including natural death, suicides etc are reported from time to time. The data pertaining to cases of death of Indian nationals(including Indian workers) in GCC   countries   during   year   2023-24,   due   to   accidents   and   other   reasons (including natural death) is given below:

| Country      |   Deaths due to Accidents |   Deaths due to other reasons |
|--------------|---------------------------|-------------------------------|
| Bahrain      |                        24 |                           285 |
| Kuwait       |                        91 |                           584 |
| Oman         |                        83 |                           425 |
| Qatar        |                        43 |                           296 |
| Saudi Arabia |                       299 |                          2388 |
| UAE          |                       107 |                          2023 |
| Total        |                       647 |                          6001 |

(d) Government   of   India   has   robust   mechanism   to   monitor   working conditions and grievance redressal of all Indian workers abroad. Our Missions and Posts abroad remain vigilant and actively monitor and follow each type of grievance   received   from   the   Indian   nationals   in   foreign   countries.   The grievances   are   received   and   responded   through   various   channels   i.e. Emergency   telephone   number,   Walk-ins,   e-Mails,   Social   Media,   24x7 Multilingual Helpline and Open Houses etc. To enable the aggrieved Indian national to online register his/her grievances, the Government has established Portals such as MADAD and e-Migrate. Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendras (PBSK) have been set up in Dubai (UAE), Riyadh, Jeddah (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)  to provide guidance and counselling to Indian workers abroad on all matters. There are dedicated Labour Wings in all the Indian Missions in GCC

Countries. Indian Missions/Posts regularly organize Open Houses and Consular Camps in remote areas to get the feedback from the Indian workers abroad and address their grievances, if any. On receipt of complaint from or on behalf of the emigrant,   the   same   is   taken   up   pro-actively   with   the   concerned   Foreign Employer (FE) and the work   place of the aggrieved worker is also visited, if required. The complaints pertaining to employment issues are also taken up with the local labour department and other relevant authority of the host country for prompt redressal.

Indian 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 the ICWF major assistance includes   boarding   and   lodging,   air   passage   to   India,   legal   assistance, emergency   medical   care,   transportation   of   mortal   remains   to   India   and payment of small fines and penalties.  Since year 2014 until March 2024, around Rs.656/- crores has been utilized by Indian Missions/Posts abroad under the Fund and around 3,50,194 Indians were extended assistance.

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ANNEXURE Country wise data of EC issued to ECR category Indians migrating for employment abroad through eMigrate portal during 2023 and 2024 (till 30 June)

| Country                 | 2023     | 2024     |
|-------------------------|----------|----------|
| Kingdom of Saudi Arabia | 2,00,713 | 81,090   |
| UAE                     | 71,688   | 43,884   |
| Kuwait                  | 48,212   | 18,629   |
| Qatar                   | 30,683   | 11,237   |
| Oman                    | 21,336   | 12,578   |
| Malaysia                | 15,319   | 4,815    |
| Bahrain                 | 7,376    | 4,894    |
| Jordan                  | 1,187    | 1,621    |
| Iraq                    | 1,599    | 1,136    |
| Lebanon                 | 200      | 107      |
| Thailand                | 4        | 10       |
| Indonesia               | 0        | 1        |
| Sudan                   | 0        | 2        |
| Total                   | 3,98,317 | 1,80,004 |

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