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RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3124
ANSWERED ON 19/03/2026
INDIAN WORKERS IN GULF COUNTRIES
3124. SHRI SAKET GOKHALE
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) the number of Indian workers died in Gulf countries since 2021 till date, country-wise;
(b) the number of complaints received from Indian workers regarding wage theft, passport confiscation and inhumane working conditions; and
(c) the effectiveness of Indian Workers Resource Centres in Gulf countries in providing actual on-ground assistance?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a & b) Country-wise details of total number of Indian workers who died in Gulf countries since 2021 till February 2026 are given in Annexure-A.
and the number of complaints received from Indian workers abroad, including those related to wage theft, passport confiscation and inhuman working conditions are given in Annexure-B..
(c) The Government of India accords highest priority to the safety, protection and well-being of Indian workers abroad. There are established channels to enable them to reach out to the Embassy/Consulate in case they need any assistance. Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendras (previously known as Indian Workers Resource Centres) have been set up in key locations such as New Delhi, Dubai, Riyadh and Jeddah, which work in close coordination with the Embassy/Consulate to provide guidance, counselling and all possible assistance to the Indian workers. They can also 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. 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 workers through the PBSKs as well as other established channels, 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.
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