RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1414
ANSWERED ON- 11/12/2025
WELFARE OF MIGRANT WORKERS OF PUNJAB
1414. DR. VIKRAMJIT SINGH SAHNEY
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-
(a) the number of migrant workers from Punjab currently working in various countries including Gulf countries, country-wise;
(b) the major issues faced by these workers, including labour exploitation, health and legal challenges;
(c) the steps taken by Government to ensure their safety, legal assistance and welfare; and
(d) the details of the Indian Community Welfare Fund utilized for repatriating the Indians stranded abroad during the last three years, Indian Embassy-wise, and the details of Indians repatriated during that period, State-wise including Punjab?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) The Government maintains data in respect of Indian workers, holding Emigration Check Required (ECR) passports, who proceed for overseas employment after obtaining Emigation Clearance (EC) through e-Migrate portal to any of the notified ECR category countries. Country-wise details of migrant workers from Punjab, who have been issued Emigration Clearances (ECs) and are working in various countries including in Gulf countries, are given in Annexure -I.
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(b to d) Majority of complaints/grievances received from Indian workers pertains to delay in payment/non-payment of salaries, retention of passports, unfair working conditions, sub standard accommodation, extended working hours, ill treatment/harassment etc.
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 and Jeddah to provide guidance and counselling to the Indian workers.
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.
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 prompt 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 utilize the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) from time to time to provide financial and legal assistance to Indian nationals in distress abroad including from Punjab 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. Details of the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) utilized on airfare for repatriation of stranded Indians abroad Mission/Post-wise are given in Annexure-II.
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