class” status.

On the other hand threats emanating from regional instability have resulted in large scale evacuation from the Gulf countries in 1990 and more recently from Yemen in 2015 (operation Raahat).

Indian Missions in Gulf countries receive various types of complaints from Indian workers:

♤ including non-payment/delayed payment of wages,

♤ sudden closure of companies,

♤ ill treatment, excessive working hours,

♤ filing false charges with police authorities,

♤ withholding of passports, dishonouring terms of the contract,

♤ exit visa issues

The economies of Gulf countries have been facing an economic downturn due to fall in crude oil prices. In particular, those employed in oil & gas and construction sectors are among the most vulnerable where downsizing and lay-offs have been reported. There are some reports of Indian workers being asked to leave before completion of their existing contracts. Instances of unpaid salaries for last few months and non-availability of food in some labour camps of two big companies in Saudi Arabia have also been reported by Indian workers.

Indian Missions and Posts have been pro-active in liaising with the host countries in resolving difficulties faced by Indian workers. In addition, the institutional framework for supporting the welfare of Indian community abroad has been considerably strengthened during the last few years. The Indian Community Welfare Fund has been extended to all our Missions and Posts abroad to meet contingency expenditure for welfare activities for overseas Indian citizens who are in distress on a means tested basis. Multilingual helplines have been set up in India and in Gulf countries. Indian Worker Resource Centre (IWRC) has also been set up in Dubai, UAE that provides toll-free helpline and walk-in counseling facilities. Four more IWRCs have been approved in Sharjah, UAE, Riyadh and Jeddah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.