**Executive Summary:**
The Indian government prioritizes the safety and well-being of Indian workers in Gulf countries. This document outlines the mechanisms in place, including helplines, grievance redressal portals, and welfare funds, to assist Indian workers in distress. Labour agreements with UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia facilitate worker protection and welfare through Joint Working Groups.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Assistance Mechanisms for Indian Workers:**
* Indian Missions/Posts offer assistance through walk-ins, email, social media, 24x7 emergency numbers, and grievance portals (MADAD, CPGRAMS).
* Toll-free helplines, WhatsApp numbers, and mobile apps are available for contact with Indian Missions/Posts in emergencies.
* Missions provide assistance to distressed Indian women, including boarding, lodging, medical treatment, and repatriation.
* **Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendras (PBSK):**
* PBSKs in New Delhi, Dubai, Riyadh, Jeddah, and Kuala Lumpur offer assistance, guidance, and counselling to distressed Indian nationals.
* **Government Initiatives:**
* Pravasi Bhartiya Bima Yojna (PBBY) and Pre-Departure Orientation Training (PDOT) ensure safe migration, decent working conditions, and awareness of rights.
* **Protection of Female Workers:**
* Only State-run Recruiting Agencies (RAs) are authorized to recruit female ECR category workers for overseas employment in Gulf and ECR notified countries via the eMigrate Portal.
* A minimum age criteria of 30 years is required for female workers holding ECR passports for overseas employment.
* **Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF):**
* The ICWF provides financial and legal assistance to distressed Indian nationals abroad on a means-tested basis.
* Assistance includes boarding, lodging, air passage, legal aid, medical care, transportation of remains, and payment of fines.
* **Labour Agreements:**
* Labour and Manpower Cooperation Agreements exist with UAE (2018), Oman (2008), and Saudi Arabia (2016).
* Joint Working Groups facilitate the implementation of these agreements, addressing worker welfare and protection.
**Impact Analysis:**
* **Indian Workers in Gulf Countries:**
* *Impact:* Enhanced access to assistance, grievance redressal, and welfare schemes. Improved safety and protection against exploitation.
* *Action Required:* Utilize available helplines, portals, and missions for assistance when needed. Participate in PDOT programs to understand rights and responsibilities.
* **Indian Missions/Posts in Gulf Countries:**
* *Impact:* Increased responsibility for providing comprehensive assistance to distressed Indian workers, especially women.
* *Action Required:* Maintain and promote helplines, WhatsApp numbers, and mobile apps. Allocate resources from the ICWF to provide necessary support.
* **State-Run Recruiting Agencies (RAs):**
* *Impact:* Exclusive authorization for recruiting female ECR category workers for Gulf countries.
* *Action Required:* Adhere to the eMigrate Portal procedures and ensure compliance with the minimum age criteria.
* **Ministry of External Affairs:**
* *Impact:* Oversight of the welfare and protection of Indian workers abroad.
* *Action Required:* Maintain and strengthen labour agreements with Gulf countries. Monitor the effectiveness of assistance programs and address emerging challenges.
Key Entities Referenced
Gulf countries: Refers to the group of countries in the Persian Gulf region, a major destination for Indian workers.
Gujarat: A state in India, specifically mentioned as a source of Indian workers in the Gulf countries.
UAE: United Arab Emirates, a Gulf country with which India has signed labour welfare MoUs.
Oman: A Gulf country with which India has signed labour welfare MoUs.
Saudi Arabia: A Gulf country with which India has signed labour welfare MoUs.
MADAD: A grievance redressal portal used by Indian workers abroad to seek assistance.
Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendras PBSK: Assistance centers set up in New Delhi, Dubai UAE, Riyadh, Jeddah Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Kuala Lumpur Malaysia to provide assistance, guidance and counselling to Indian nationals in distress.
Indian Community Welfare Fund ICWF: A fund used by Indian Missions/Posts to provide financial and legal assistance to Indian nationals in distress abroad.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 1057
ANSWERED ON - 25/07/2025
HELPLINE FOR INDIAN WORKERS IN GULF COUNTRIES
1057. SHRI DHAWAL LAXMANBHAI PATEL
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) the number of helplines and grievance redressal mechanisms for
Indian workers, particularly from Gujarat, in the Gulf countries;
(b) whether any labour welfare MoUs have been signed recently with
UAE, Oman or Saudi Arabia, if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government to promote local language
legal aid or consular services for migrant workers?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
1(a) & (c) The Government of India accords highest priority to the
safety, protection and well-being of Indian workers abroad, including
in Gulf countries. The Government has established various
mechanisms to enable Indian workers abroad, including those from
the State of Gujarat, to reach out to the Indian Missions in case they
need any assistance. Indian workers can contact the Missions/Posts
through various channels like walk-in, email, social media,
multilingual 24x7 emergency numbers and also grievance redressal
portals like MADAD, CPGRAMS etc. In addition, Indian
Missions/Posts abroad have established Toll Free Helplines,
WhatsApp numbers and have launched mobile Apps to enable Indian
nationals contact respective Indian Missions/Posts when in distress
or in emergency situation.
The Missions in Gulf Countries have provisions to assist Indian
women in distress by providing boarding and lodging, medical
treatment and arranging for their repatriation. Female workers, who
are stranded or in distress, can approach the Embassies at any time
of the day and are provided all necessary facilitation till their
repatriation to India.
2Besides, Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendras (PBSK) have been set
up in New Delhi and at Dubai (UAE), Riyadh & Jeddah (Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia) and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) to provide assistance,
guidance and counselling to Indian nationals in distress.
Further, the Government has taken several initiatives such as
Pravasi Bhartiya Bima Yojna (PBBY) and Pre-Departure Orientation &
Training (PDOT) in ensuring that Indian migrant workers undertake
safe migration, have decent working and living conditions in
destination countries, are aware of their rights and have access to
various welfare schemes of the Government.
Further, as additional safeguard for protection and safety of Female
workers especially those holding ECR category passports (including
domestic sector workers) who are vulnerable, Government has
authorized only State run Recruiting Agencies (RAs) to recruit Indian
female ECR category workers for overseas employment in Gulf and
other ECR notified 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.
3The 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
ICWF, the major assistance includes Boarding & Lodging, Air
Passage to India, Legal Assistance, Emergency Medical Care,
Transportation of Mortal Remains to India, and Payment of Small
Fines and Penalties.
(b) Labour and Manpower Cooperation Agreements are in place with
the Gulf countries including the UAE (2018), Oman (2008) and Saudi
Arabia (2016). These MoUs and Agreements have provisions of
implementation through a Joint Working Group, where matters
related to welfare and protection of workers are taken up during
regular meetings with the concerned countries.
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