According to a reply to an unstarred Parliament question in 2023, the Indian government has MoUs signed with the Gulf countries, under which matters related to welfare and protection of workers are taken up with concerned countries regularly. But the question remains: What is the real benefit of these MoUs if no solid action is seen being taken?
News of Indian workers dying in other countries often keeps surfacing. The 11th June incident in Kuwait, which has reportedly claimed the lives of 40 Indian workers so far. Unfortunately, the action is being taken only after the heavy loss. “What happened today is a result of the greed of the company”, Kuwait’s Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousuf Al-Sabah was quoted saying, as he ordered an investigation into the incident.
Based on Government responses to Parliamentary Questions & RTIs, over 33,000 Indian workers died in the six Gulf countries between 2016 and 2021. The major causes of such incidents are the extremely poor working and living conditions of these migrant workers. A significant number of labor abuse cases have also been reported over the years. Between 2016 and 2021, more than 90,000 complaints were filed by Indian workers in these six countries regarding mistreatment and non-payment of salaries.
A large number of Indian workers continue to migrate to these countries seeking employment, only to expose themselves to similar ill-treatment and unfortunate incidents. Clearly, there is a need for the government to be more vigilant in protecting the basic rights of Indian workers abroad.
However, some measures have been commendable. The Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana (PBBY) is a mandatory insurance scheme aimed at safeguarding the interests of ECR category Indian migrant workers going to ECR countries for employment. The scheme provides an insurance cover of INR 10 lakh and other benefits in case of accidental death or permanent disability leading to job loss, at a nominal insurance premium of INR 275 for two years or INR 375 for three years.
Additionally, the Indian government offers a direct route for these workers to file grievances through the online MADAD portal. This portal enables emigrant workers and their family members to register their consular grievances online and track their redressal.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, has expressed condolences over the tragic loss of lives in the fire. PM Modi announced an ex gratia relief of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund for the families of the deceased. Indian Ambassador to Kuwait, Adarsh Swaika, visited the site, while MoS for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, is involved in facilitating the swift repatriation of the mortal remains. A helpline (+965-65505246) has also been set up by the Ministry of External Affairs to aid those needing embassy assistance.
Meanwhile, efforts are also underway at both state and private levels. Kerala’s cabinet announced Rs 5 lakh compensation for the kin of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh for the injured. Industrialists M.A. Yusuff Ali and Ravi Pillai pledged additional financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh and Rs 2 lakh, respectively.
