Question : Indian Workers

(a)  the number of Indian workers outside the country who were not paid wages or salaries between March 2020 and December 2021;

(b)  whether the Government has provided economic assistance to Indian workers who were not  paid their wages;

(c)  if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;  

(d) whether the Government has taken cognizance of reports that Indian migrant workers suffered the highest losses because of non-payment of wages or benefit related violations in South Asia between June 2020 and December 2021, as per the Migrant Forum in Asia; and

(e) if so, the details of remedial action taken thereon?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

The para-wise reply of the question is as under:

(a) As per available information, 17,848 number of labour complaints were received by Indian Missions and Posts from Indian workers outside the country that include non- payment of wages or salaries between March 2020 and December 2021.

(b) to (e) Incidences of job losses, wage cuts, etc have come to the notice of our Missions and Posts abroad. Wherever required, such cases were promptly taken up by the Missions and Posts with concerned companies to resolve the issues. Indian Missions and Posts also facilitated discussions between Indian workers and their employers to settle the issues by providing all possible help. These issues were also taken up with the Governments of host countries during high level bilateral meetings. Many cases have been resolved through this process. Besides, some countries have also instituted welfare support measures for workers including expatriate workers. Moreover, our Missions and Posts proactively extended support to Indians both directly using the Indian Community Welfare Fund and by coordinating with community associations. This included expenses on a needs basis pertaining to boarding and lodging, air passages, emergency medical care, etc.

Many cases have also been resolved through MADAD Portal. The portal has separate categories for wage-related disputes like contract problem, compensation, salaries/dues, worker abuse, sponsor problems, etc.

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