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LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5566
ANSWERED ON- 27/03/2026
INDIANS FACING EXPLOITATIVE CONDITIONS ABROAD
5566. THIRU DR. S JAGATHRATCHAKAN
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-
(a) the number of complaints received by the Government regarding exploitative employment conditions faced by Indian nationals overseas during the last five years, year-wise and country-wise;
(b) the number of Indian nationals repatriated to India following such complaints, year-wise and country-wise;
(c) the number of cases pending as on date, country-wise and the reasons for pendency; and
(d) whether the Government has any standard operating procedures in case of such incidents and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a to c) As per information available, year-wise and country-wise data of labour-related complaints/grievances received from Indian workers abroad as well as complaints/grievances resolved by Indian Missions/Posts abroad during the last five years, is given in Annexure-A
. Year-wise and country-wise data of Indian workers repatriated/deported in the last five years is given in Annexure-B.
(d) The Government of India accords highest priority to the safety, protection and wellbeing of Indian workers 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 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 any complaint or grievance from Indian nationals including labourers, the Embassy/Consulate pro-actively takes it up with the concerned Foreign Employer (FE) and, if needed, the work place of the aggrieved worker is also visited. The issues are also taken up with the local Labour Department and other concerned authority of the host country for redressal.
Further, as additional safeguard for protection and safety of the female workers (including 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 Gulf and other notified 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 Missions/Posts also utilize the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) from time to time to provide financial and legal assistance to Indian nationals in distress abroad on a means-tested basis. Under ICWF, the major assistance/facilitation like Boarding & Lodging, Air Passage to India, Legal Assistance, Emergency Medical Care, Transportation of Mortal Remains to India, etc., are rendered on priority basis.