Lok Sabha Question No. 1042 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-05
Subject: Challenges faced by Indians abroad
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Zia Ur Rehman

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 1042

ANSWERED ON- 05/12/2025

## CHALLENGES FACED BY INDIANS ABROAD

1042. SHRI ZIA UR REHMAN

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

(a)   whether   the   Government   has   taken   note   of   the   increasing challenges faced by Indian citizens abroad, including issues related to safety, employment conditions and legal assistance; and

(b) if so, the details of the steps being taken to strengthen consular support   mechanisms   and   to   safeguard   the   interests   of   Indians overseas?

## ANSWER

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

(a) The safety, security and well being of Indian nationals living in foreign countries is one of the foremost priorities of the Government of India. Indian Missions/Posts abroad remain vigilant and closely monitor

any   untoward   incidents   affecting   Indian   nationals   abroad.   Such incidents are immediately taken up with the concerned authorities of the host country to ensure that the cases are properly investigated and the perpetrators are brought to justice as per their domestic laws. Indian Missions/Posts abroad receive complaints from Indian workers, particularly   domestic   sector   workers,   on   account   of   poor   working conditions, non-payment or delay in payment of salaries and denial of other benefits such as medical facilities, refusal of leave or denial of exit/re-entry permits for visits to India, denial of final exit visas to the workers to return to India after completion of the contract, ill-treatment by   the   employers   etc.   Incidents   of   confinement,   physical   abuse, abandoning of housemaids by their sponsors have also been reported. Most of the complaints pertain to workers, who do not have proper employment   contracts   and   have   migrated   illegally,   in   violation   of Government norms for recruitment of ECR workers from India. On receipt of complaints of exploitation from Indian workers, the Indian Missions/Posts   abroad,   including   in   the   Gulf   and   South-East   Asian countries, promptly take action including reaching out to the foreign employers/sponsors/local   Government   authorities   as   well   as   the

Recruiting Agents for redressal of the complaint.

(b) Indian Missions/Posts abroad render all possible consular assistance to   the   Indian   nationals,   whenever   required.   Indian   nationals   can contact the Indian Missions/Posts abroad via walk-ins, email, social media platforms, 24x7 emergency telephone numbers and Toll Free Helplines established by Missions/Posts abroad, grievance redressal portals   like   MADAD,   CPGRAMS   etc   for   prompt   redressal   of   their grievances. Indian Missions/Posts abroad also assist in providing legal aid wherever needed. Missions/Posts also maintain a local panel of lawyers   where   Indian   community   is   in   sizeable   numbers.   Indian nationals   who   are   in   distress   in   foreign   countries,   are   provided assistance under the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) set up in all Indian Missions/Posts abroad to meet any contingency expenditure incurred by them, on a means-tested basis. Besides, Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendras (PBSKs) have been set up at Dubai, Sharjah, Riyadh, Jeddah and Kuala Lumpur to provide assistance to distressed Indian nationals abroad. Advisories are issued for Indian nationals from time to time, asking them to exercise due caution and remain vigilant. The Government also remains vigilant to developments impacting the lives of Indian nationals abroad and takes all measures to safeguard their interests and welfare.

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