Lok Sabha Question No. 1244 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-06
Subject: Data on Migrant Workers
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Ramasahayam Raghuram Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 1244

ANSWERED ON- 06/02/2026

DATA ON MIGRANT WORKERS

1244. SHRI RAMASAHAYAM RAGHURAM REDDY

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

(a) whether the Government has a designated and periodically updated database for Indian migrant workers in foreign countries, if so, the details thereof, State-wise and gender-wise for Andhra Pradesh indicating the periodicity thereof;

(b) whether steps have been taken to address issues such as lack of wages and trafficking faced by migrant workers from Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts of Andhra Pradesh in Gulf countries, if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the details of  grievance redressal mechanisms available for these migrant workers and its operational mechanism?

## ANSWER

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

(a to c) Ministry maintains data in respect of Indian workers, holding Emigration Check Required (ECR) passports, proceeding for employment to any of the notified ECR category countries, through e-Migrate portal. Country-wise   and   gender-wise   data   on   the   number   of   Emigration Clearances (ECs) granted to the emigrants from Andhra Pradesh during the last five years is given below:

| EC count gender-wise for Andhra Pradesh From 01.01.2021 to 31.12.2025   | EC count gender-wise for Andhra Pradesh From 01.01.2021 to 31.12.2025   | EC count gender-wise for Andhra Pradesh From 01.01.2021 to 31.12.2025   |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Year                                                                    | Gender                                                                  | EC Count                                                                |
| 2021                                                                    | Female                                                                  | 998                                                                     |
| 2021                                                                    | Male                                                                    | 4484                                                                    |
| 2022                                                                    | Female                                                                  | 4704                                                                    |
| 2022                                                                    | Male                                                                    | 14643                                                                   |
| 2023                                                                    | Female                                                                  | 3287                                                                    |
| 2023                                                                    | Male                                                                    | 13100                                                                   |
| 2024                                                                    | Female                                                                  | 4807                                                                    |
| 2024                                                                    | Male                                                                    | 11808                                                                   |
| 2025                                                                    | Female                                                                  | 5787                                                                    |
| 2025                                                                    | Male                                                                    | 12583                                                                   |
|                                                                         | Total                                                                   | 76201                                                                   |

The Government of India accords highest priority to the safety, security, protection and wellbeing of Indian workers, including those from Andhra Pradesh, abroad. There are established channels to enable them to reach out to the Embassy/Consulate in case they need any assistance. They can contact the Embassy/Consulate through walk-in, email, multilingual 24x7 emergency numbers, WhatsApp number, grievance redressal portal like MADAD/CPGRAMS/eMigrate, and social media etc. There are dedicated Labour Wings in Indian Missions/Posts abroad for handling such matters, where there is a sizeable number of Indian migrant workers. Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendras have been set up in key locations such as New Delhi, Dubai, Riyadh, Jeddah, and Kuala Lumpur to provide guidance and counselling to the Indian workers.

Indian   Missions/Posts   regularly   organize   Open   Houses   and   Consular Camps in remote areas to get feedback from Indian workers residing in such areas and to address their grievances, if any. On receipt of complaint from or on behalf of the emigrant, the same is taken up pro-actively with 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 authorities of the host country for redressal.

Further, as additional safeguard for protection and safety of the female domestic sector workers, Government has authorized only State run Recruiting Agencies (RAs) to recruit Indian female workers holding ECR category passports for overseas employment in the notified 19 ECR 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   Embassy/Consulate   abroad   also   utilizes   the   Indian   Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) from time to time to provide financial and legal assistance to Indian nationals in distress 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. *****