Lok Sabha Question No. 3607 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-21
Subject: Plight of Indian Immigrant Workers
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Thiru Dr. S Jagathratchakan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 3607

## ANSWERED ON- 21/03/2025

## PLIGHT OF INDIAN IMMIGRANT WORKERS

## 3607 SHRI S JAGATHRATCHAKAN

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

- (a) whether   the   Government   is   aware   that   Indian   workers   are   being deceived into inhumane working conditions in the Gulf countries;
- (b) if so, the details of the measures taken to address the issue;
- (c) the   details   regarding   the   measures   taken   by   the   Government   to address the exploitative Kafala System existing in Gulf countries and West Asia; and
- (d) whether   the   Government   has   been   successful   in   addressing   the loopholes   in   the   Emigration   Clearance   that   the   labour   contractors   and agents,   operating   in   international   networks,   often   circumvent   to   these safeguards and if so, the details thereof?

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

## (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a) to (c) It   has   been   noticed   that   some   of   the   Indian   workers   abroad, including in Gulf countries, at times face difficulty due to inhumane working conditions. Majority of these complaints pertain to labour disputes like delay in payment or non-payment of salaries as well as that of end of service benefits, unauthorized retention of passports, longer working hours, nonprovision 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,   noncancellation 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.

Government of India accords highest priority to the safety, security and well-being of Indian nationals abroad and has robust mechanism to monitor their living and working conditions. The Indian Missions and Posts abroad remain vigilant and actively monitor and follow-up the grievance(s), if any,

received from the Indian nationals abroad. The grievances are received and responded through various channels i.e. Emergency telephone number, Walkins, e-Mails, Social Media, 24x7 Multilingual Helpline and Open Houses etc. To enable any 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) and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) to provide guidance and counselling to Indian workers abroad on all matters. There   are   dedicated   Labour   Wings   in   all   the   Indian   Missions   in   Gulf Countries.

On   receipt   of   information   about   any   Indian   national   in   distress,   the concerned   Indian   Mission/Post   abroad   immediately   gets   in   touch   with him/her, the local Foreign Office, and concerned local authorities, as the case may be, to ascertain the facts of the case and to ensure the welfare of the Indian nationals and well being. In addition to extending all possible consular assistance, Mission/Post also assist in providing legal aid, wherever needed. Mission/Post also maintains a panel of local lawyers, where Indian community is in sizeable numbers.

Indian Missions/Posts regularly organize Open Houses and Consular Camps in remote areas to get the feedback from the Indian nationals abroad and address their grievances, if any. On receipt of a complaint, the same is pro-

actively taken up with the concerned Foreign Employer (FE) and, if needed, the work place of the aggrieved worker is also visited. 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.

The 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   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. Since the launch of ICWF, total 3,53,369 Indian nationals have been assisted by till September 2024 with a total outlay of Rs. 683 Crore.

Constant negotiations are held with the local government to ensure that Indian workers are not subjected to the abuses that arise from the Kafala system, and to encourage the adoption of more flexible and equitable labour laws.

(d) The process of overseas employment, including grant of Emigration Clearance (EC), of Indian nationals holding ECR passports and emigrating to any of the 18 notified ECR countries is done through e-Migrate portal. The web-based   application makes   the   process   of   emigration   fully   digital,

transparent,   safe,   legal,   humane,   efficient,   convenient,   and   faster.   It seamlessly   brings   all   stakeholders,   including   Foreign   Employers   (FEs), registered   Recruiting   Agents   (RAs)   and   the   prospective   emigrants   on   a common platform and enables MEA to capture comprehensive and online database. An updated, revamped and user friendly eMigrate-V2.0 web portal was launched on 14 October 2024. The eMigrate Mobile App has also been developed for the first time and is available on all App Stores online. The App allows the stakeholders to have easy access to major services available on the   portal,   including   tracking   of   application   status,   obtaining   list   of registered as well as unregistered recruiting agents, filing grievances etc.

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