Question : Wages to Indian Labourers Abroad

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether wages and other benefits/ facilities are not being provided to the Indian labourers in many countries as per the rules of International Labour Organisation;

(b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;

(c) the details of the countries with which the Government has held discussions in this regard during the last three years along with the outcome thereof; and

(d) the details of the countries where the local police intervened/used force during protests by the Indian labourers against the violation of wages and work conditions, place-wise?

THE MINISTER FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRIMATI SUSHMA SWARAJ)

(a) to (d) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 122 REGARDING “WAGES TO INDIAN LABOURERS ABROAD” FOR ANSWER ON 27.12.2017

(a) India is not a signatory to ILO Minimum Wage Convention 1970 (No.131) and none of the GCC countries too are signatories to the ILO Minimum Wage Fixing Convention 1970 (no.131).

(b) As reported by some of the Indian Missions in Gulf countries, there have been sporadic incidents of delayed payment of wages to Indian workers. On receipt of reports of Indian emigrants in distress, our Mission/Posts in that country intervene with the concerned government authorities and the foreign employer/sponsor to resolve outstanding disputes and help repatriate Indian workers whenever necessary.

(c) Government of India has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs)/ Agreement on labour cooperation with 6 Gulf countries viz United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Malaysia. Constitution of Joint Working Groups (JWGs) is one of the features of these MoU and meeting of JWG is held regularly to find solutions to bilateral labour problems.

(d) As per reports received from the Indian Missions, there was discontentment among the workers in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain, due to delayed payment of wages and lack of some basic amenities in the workers’ camps. Indian workers protested in a form that is against the law in these countries. Resultantly, protesting workers were segregated by police to restore law and order.