**Executive Summary**
This document summarizes the responses to Unstarred Question No. 1198 in Lok Sabha regarding the welfare of emigrant workers and diaspora engagement, specifically focusing on Tamil workers. The response, answered on 06/02/2026, addresses grievances, helpline availability, insurance claims, social security agreements, and participation in the Know India Programme. There are no specific action items or deadlines mentioned.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Grievances from Tamil Workers:**
* Singapore: Nil grievances regarding wage theft and poor working conditions in FY 2025-26.
* Malaysia: 559 grievances received from 01.04.25 to 21.01.2026.
* **24x7 Tamil Language Helplines:**
* The Indian High Commissions in Malaysia and Singapore have dedicated helplines.
* Singapore helpline: +65-91729803
* Malaysia helpline: +60 12 602 0360
* **Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana (PBBY):**
* PBBY is a mandatory insurance scheme for ECR category workers going to ECR countries for overseas employment.
* The scheme, effective from August 1, 2017, provides global coverage irrespective of employer and location.
* It offers an insurance cover of 10 lakhs in case of accidental death or permanent disability with premiums of Rs. 275/Rs. 375 for two/three years.
* The scheme ensures expeditious settlement of claims.
* District level records for the status of PBBY claims are not available.
* **Social Security Agreement:**
* There are no ongoing Social Security Agreement negotiations with Gulf Countries.
* **Know India Programme:**
* 141 participants from the Tamil Diaspora have participated in the ‘Know India Programme.’
**Impact Analysis**
**Tamil Workers in Malaysia and Singapore**
* **Impact:**
* Tamil workers can find information regarding the number of grievances reported.
* The availability of dedicated 24x7 Tamil language helplines provided by the Indian High Commissions for assistance.
* Eligible ECR category workers who have to go overseas for employment should have information on the mandatory insurance scheme.
* **Action Required:**
* Make use of provided helplines in case of wage theft or poor working conditions.
* ECR category workers should check eligibility for Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana (PBBY).
**Families of Emigrant Workers**
* **Impact:**
* In the event of accidental death or disability, the policy provides an insurance amount of 10 lakhs to the families for a nominal insurance amount.
* **Action Required:**
* Ensure registration under Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana (PBBY).
**Tamil Diaspora**
* **Impact:**
* Provides insight on participants from Tamil Diaspora who have participated in the Know India Programme.
* **Action Required:**
* Encouraged to participate in the Know India Programme to have a better understanding of India and to connect with their roots.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of External Affairs: The Indian government ministry responsible for the country's foreign relations.
Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana (PBBY): A mandatory insurance scheme for Emigration Check Required (ECR) category workers going to ECR countries for overseas employment
Know India Programme: A program to engage the Tamil diaspora.
Malaysia: A country in Southeast Asia where Tamil workers face wage theft and poor working conditions.
Singapore: A country in Southeast Asia where Tamil workers face wage theft and poor working conditions.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 1198
ANSWERED ON- 06/02/2026
EMIGRANT WORKERS WELFARE AND DIASPORA ENGAGEMENT
1198. THIRU ARUN NEHRU
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-
(a) the number of grievances received from Tamil workers in
Malaysia and Singapore regarding wage theft and poor working
conditions in FY 2025-26;
(b) whether the Indian High Commissions in these countries have a
dedicated 24x7 helpline in the Tamil language, if so, the details
thereof;
(c) the status of the Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana claims settled for
families in Perambalur;
(d) whether the Government is negotiating a Social Security
Agreement with Gulf countries to protect blue-collar workers, if so,
the details thereof; and
(e) the details of the ‘Know India Programme’ participants from the
Tamil diaspora?
1ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) As per available information, the number of grievances received from
Tamil workers regarding wage theft and poor working conditions:
• Singapore Nil
• Malaysia (01.04.25 to 21.01.2026) 559
(b) The Indian High Commissions in Malaysia and Singapore have
dedicated 24X7 helplines as per the following details:
Singapore helpline - +65-91729803
Malaysia helpline - +60 12 602 0360
(c) The Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana (PBBY) is a mandatory insurance
scheme for Emigration Check Required (ECR) category workers going to
ECR countries for overseas employment. The Scheme was comprehensively
revamped and has become effective from August 1, 2017. The scheme now
provides for global coverage irrespective of employer and location and has
2facility for online renewal. The revised scheme is simpler and more
beneficial for emigrant workers, provides an insurance cover of 10 lakhs in
case of accidental death or permanent disability and some other benefits at
a nominal insurance premium of Rs. 275/ Rs. 375 for a period of two/three
years. The scheme is aimed at ensuring an expeditious settlement of claims.
District level records for status of PBBY claims are not available.
(d) There are no ongoing Social Security Agreement negotiations with
Gulf Countries.
(e) As per available records, so far 141 participants from Tamil Diaspora
have participated in the Know India Programme.
*****
3