(a) whether around 2000 Indian workers have been detained in Kuwait recently
for visa norm violations;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Indian Embassy in Kuwait has established contacts with the
detained Indian workers and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the said incident in Kuwait once again exposes the flaws of the
sponsorship system; and
(e) if so, the steps taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS (SHRI VAYALAR RAVI)
(a) & (b): Yes, madam. As per information given by the Kuwaiti authorities, around 2,000
Indians were arrested on September 19, 2012 for alleged visa violation. After verification/
checking of records, around 1750 were released, and the rest were deported.
(c): Yes, madam. Officers of the Embassy were in regular contact with the local authorities
as well as the detained workers for securing their release or facilitating their return to
India.
(d) & (e): As the `Kafala` (Sponsorship) system is an existing system in an independent,
sovereign country, Kuwait. It is for the potential emigrants to consider whether they would
like to migrate under such conditions or not.