Rajya Sabha
Some of the Indians who have been misled by recruiting agents into taking up jobs in Iraq have complained of abuse and ill-treatment in some of the camps in Iraq. Visits to some of these camps and investigations by the Indian Embassy in Baghdad indicate that their living conditions in the camp are generally satisfactory but they face restrictions relating to their movement for security reasons. The Embassy has assisted interested workers in returning to India.
Cases of alleged ill-treatment and abuse were taken up with the US Authorities in Iraq and US Embassies in New Delhi, Kuwait and Amman. Our Embassy in Baghdad also pursued the matter with the Coalition Provincial Authority. The US authorities conveyed that they will not countenance abuse or exploitation of workers by the private contractors who have contracted Indian workers in Iraq. The US authorities conveyed their concern at the reports of ill-treatment of Indian workers and after investigations have conveyed that the allegation are exaggerated or largely false. The US also provided a list of private contractors who have employed Indian workers in Iraq. Our Missions in Kuwait, Jordan and Iraq are in contact with the contractors for ensuring welfare and well being of the workers.
This information was given to Rajya Sabha today by the Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri E. Ahamed in reply to a question by Shri Rajkumar Dhoot.
(Release ID :2533)