Question : DEPORTATION OF INDIAN WORKERS

(a) the number of Indian workers deported by different countries during the last one year, country-wise;

(b) the main reasons advanced by these countries for deportation, case-wise;

(c) whether it is a fact that most of the workers are being deported from Gulf countries;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether Indian workers resource centre established in UAE is giving a helping hand to Indian workers; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and steps taken or being taken by the Government to ensure that Indian workers are not harassed in these countries?

MINISTER OF OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS(SHRI VAYALAR RAVI)

(a) to (d): The details of Indian workers deported by different countries along with reasons for their deportation as received from Indian Missions is given in the Annexure. The information received indicates that Kuwait, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) among the Gulf Countries, have deported most of the workers.

(e) & (f): Yes, Sir. The Indian Workers Resource Centre is providing information and counselling in legal, financial ana— psychological matters to distressed Indians. The Centre has a computerized application to register and track all the information filed and to provide possible solutions. Whenever necessary, counselling by experts is also provided. A 24x7 multilingual toll free helpline is in operation since November, 2010 at the Centre to help Indian workers.

The Government has taken several steps to address the issue of Indian emigrants who become illegal emigrants and to mitigate the difficulties of those rendered illegal or subjected to deportation. These, inter-alia, include:-

(i) Nation-wide awareness campaigns through the media to educate intending emigrants about legal emigration procedures, the risk of illegal migration and precautions to be taken during emigration.

(ii) An Overseas Workers Resource Centre (OWRC) which is a 24-hour telephone helpline operating in eight languages, provides authentic information to emigrants as well as Entending emigrants on all aspects of emigration.

(iii) The Government has established an Indian Community Welfare Fund(ICWF) in all countries to provide onsite support to affected emigrants. The Indian missions provide all necessary assistance for the return/deportation of illegal emigrants.

(iv) The Government has signed MOMs with seven major labour-receiving countries to establish an institutional framework for bilateral cooperation for the protection and welfare of workers.