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, semi-skilled 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:
Table Title
| 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. Country-wise 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:
Table Title
| 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 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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