Sixteen Indian workers were reportedly lured into inhumane conditions in Benghazi, Libya, after being recruited in the UAE and forced to work in a cement factory. Despite support from the Indian mission, they remain stranded without exit permits.
Ongoing Issues of Labour Exploitation
- Fatalities in Kuwait: In June 2024, a fire at a labour camp in Mangaf, Kuwait, claimed the lives of at least 40 Indian workers.
- This tragic incident highlights the dangers faced by Indian labourers in foreign countries, particularly in hazardous living and working conditions.
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- Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kuwait on 21-22 December 2024 has brought attention to the plight of Indian workers, particularly those in labour camps.
- Despite PM Modi’s acknowledgment of Kuwait’s support for its over one-million-strong Indian community, the dangers faced by Indian workers remain a concern.
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- Scale of Indian Labour Migration: India has around 13 million nationals working abroad, primarily in the Gulf countries. These workers contribute significantly to India’s economy through remittances, which totaled about $111 billion in 2022.
Remittance in India
- India was the leading recipient of remittances in 2024, with an estimated inflow of $129 billion. It was followed by Mexico, China, the Philippines, and Pakistan.
- This surge in remittances was primarily driven by a recovery in job markets in high-income countries, according to a blog post by World Bank economists.
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- Explorations Faced: However, many of them face severe exploitation, limited personal gains, and dangerous working conditions, including the oppressive kafala system in Gulf nations.
Kafala System
- The kafala system is an outdated system that still defines the relationship between foreign workers and their local sponsor, usually their employer, in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
- Sponsors are responsible for covering travel expenses and providing housing. In some cases, sponsors use private recruitment agencies to hire workers from their home countries.
- The system usually falls under the jurisdiction of interior ministries, rather than labor ministries, so workers often have no protection under the host country’s labor law.
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Government Efforts and Limitations
- Regulating Labour Migration: The Indian government introduced the e-Migrate system over a decade ago to regulate labour migration, particularly for workers travelling to 18 countries requiring Emigration Clearance (ECR).
- Limitations: However, recruitment agents and contractors often bypass these protections, and workers in non-ECR countries like Israel and Russia face even more severe challenges, including risks of death in conflict zones.
| The 18 countries for which emigration clearance is required for ECR passport holders and nurses travelling for work are as follows: 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.
E-Migrate
The Indian government has launched the e-Migrate web portal and mobile app to simplify overseas employment processes for Indian workers. The platform enables registration, tracks recruitment, provides access to authorized employers, and offers a grievance redressal mechanism for workers abroad. |
Solutions
- Reforming India’s Emigration Act and tightening oversight of recruitment agents.
- Signing agreements with other countries to secure higher compensation from foreign employers is an essential step.
- However, a more sustainable solution lies in promoting equitable economic growth within India. In cases like the workers in Libya, the government often has no option but to repatriate them, yet many face a bleak future upon returning. For most, the harsh realities abroad still seem preferable.
- Instead of merely celebrating the success of the diaspora, India should use platforms like the Pravasi Bharatiya Sammelan to address the struggles of these workers, whose plight contrasts sharply with the country’s growing economic and diplomatic ambitions.
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Conclusion
The exploitation of Indian workers abroad highlights the urgent need for stronger regulations, better protections, and sustainable economic opportunities within India. Addressing these issues is crucial for balancing the success of the diaspora with the welfare of migrant laborers facing harsh conditions.
December 23, 2024
