Parliament Question: Migrant Worker Database and Support

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3516 ANSWERED ON 13/03/2026 MIGRANT WORKER DATABASE AND SUPPORT

3516. SHRI RAMASAHAYAM RAGHURAM REDDY

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has a designated and periodically updated State-wise database for Indian Migrant workers in Foreign Countries;

(b) if so, the details of gender-wise data for Telangana, indicating the periodicity thereof;

(c) whether steps have been taken to address issues such as lack of wages trafficking faced by migrant workers in Gulf countries, if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the details of grievance redressal mechanisms available for these migrant workers and its operational mechanism? 1ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA) (a to d) The Ministry of External Affairs maintains data in respect of Indian workers, holding Emigration Check Required (ECR) passports, proceeding for employment to any of the notified ECR countries, through e-Migrate portal. Year-wise and gender-wise data on the number of Emigration Clearances (ECs) granted to the emigrants from Telangana during the last

five years is given below:

ECs Granted Gender-wise for Telangana From 01.01.2021 to 31.12.2025 Year Gender EC Count Female 120 2021 Male 4255 Female 200 2022 Male 11790 Female 221 2023 Male 10151 Female 187 2024 Male 9663 2Female 130 2025 Male 10755 The Government of India accords highest priority to the safety, security, protection and wellbeing of Indian workers abroad, including those working in Gulf countries. There are established channels to enable them to reach out to the Indian Embassy/Consulate in case they need any assistance. They can contact the Embassy/Consulate through walk-in, email, multilingual 24x7 emergency numbers, WhatsApp numbers, grievance redressal portals like MADAD/CPGRAMS/eMigrate, and social media etc. There are dedicated Labour Wings in Indian Missions/Posts abroad 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 Dubai, Riyadh and Jeddah, to provide guidance and counselling to the Indian workers in Gulf countries.

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 3from or on behalf of the emigrant worker, 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 labour related issues are also taken up with the local labour department and other relevant authorities of the host country for redressal.

Further, as additional safeguard for protection and safety of the female domestic sector workers, Government has authorized only State run Recruiting Agencies (RAs) to recruit Indian female workers holding ECR passports for employment in the 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 Embassy/Consulate abroad also utilizes the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) from time to time to provide financial and legal assistance to Indian nationals in distress 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.

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