India has labour agreements with GCC countries to protect workers’ rights

“There are about 13 million Indian citizens, including workers, professionals and experts abroad. The Indian Government has mechanisms to monitor working conditions and grievance redressal of Indian workers, professionals and experts working abroad”

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There are set mechanisms to monitor working conditions and grievance redressal of Indian workers, professionals and experts working abroad.

They include labour agreements with foreign countries joint working groups meetings to monitor implementation.

This was stated by the Indian Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs over a question raised by the Member of Parliament (MP) Vivek Narayan Shejwalkar in Lok Sabha recently.

Shejwalkar asked specific questions about the status of Indian workers, abroad, their total number, mechanism of monitoring and working conditions.

“According to available estimates, there are about 13 million Indian citizens, including workers, professionals and experts abroad. The Indian Government has mechanisms to monitor working conditions and grievance redressal of Indian workers, professionals and experts working abroad. India has Labour Agreements with GCC countries and holds Joint Working Group meetings to monitor implementation,” said the minister in response to the MP’s questions.

There are 18 countries for which emigration clearance is required for those who hold ECR passports. Afghanistan, Bahrain, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sudan , South Sudan, Syria, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen require ECR condition for certain categories of workers

“All ECR category workers and certain categories, such as nurses, going abroad have to register in the e-Migrate platform for scrutiny of documents or contracts for clearance. Officials of Indian Missions and Posts undertake regular visits to the work sites. Besides, Indian Missions and Posts regularly hold Open Houses to get the feedback and address grievances,” he said.

Explaining further the minister said there were dedicated labour wings in some Indian Missions and Posts. “Any worker facing difficulty can approach the government through the MADAD portal for redressal. Indian workers working in ECR (Emigration Check Required) countries can also register their complaints in the e-Migrate portal.”

There are 18 countries for which emigration clearance is required for those who hold ECR passports. Afghanistan, Bahrain, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sudan , South Sudan, Syria, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen require ECR conditions for certain categories of workers.

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