Official data has laid bare the challenging conditions faced by thousands of Punjabi workers in foreign countries, with the vast majority concentrated in the Gulf region. A disclosure in Parliament revealed that more than 25,000 individuals from Punjab are currently working abroad under valid emigration clearances, predominantly in nations where reports of exploitation are frequent.
Gulf Dominance and Prevalent Exploitation
Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh provided these details in a written response to a query from Rajya Sabha member Vikramjit Singh Sahney. The figures show that out of 25,328 Punjabis with valid Emigration Clearances (ECs), a staggering over 95% are based in seven Gulf countries. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) stands as the top destination.
The government acknowledged receiving a majority of complaints from Indian workers abroad. These grievances consistently detail serious issues, including delayed wages or complete non-payment of salaries. Other common forms of exploitation cited are the illegal retention of passports by employers, excessively long working hours, and provision of substandard living accommodations. Workers also report facing harassment and ill-treatment from foreign employers.
Government's Response and Redressal Mechanisms
The government stated that it accords the "highest priority" to the safety of Indian workers overseas. To address grievances, it relies on diplomatic channels and specific welfare initiatives. Workers are encouraged to contact Indian embassies or consulates through multiple channels: email, 24/7 emergency helplines, WhatsApp, and social media.
Dedicated platforms like the MADAD portal, CPGRAMS, and the eMigrate system have been established for logging complaints. Embassies actively pursue these cases by taking them up directly with the concerned foreign employers, conducting workplace visits if necessary, and engaging with the local labour authorities in the host country.
For urgent support, the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) is utilized. This fund provides critical financial and legal assistance, covering emergency medical care, temporary boarding and lodging, air passage back to India, and the transportation of mortal remains.
Special Measures for Female Workers
Recognizing the heightened vulnerability of women, especially in the domestic work sector, specific safeguards have been implemented. The government has set a minimum age criterion of 30 years for female workers holding Emigration Check Required (ECR) passports. Furthermore, only state-run recruiting agencies are authorized to recruit ECR-category female workers for notified countries, and this process must be conducted exclusively through the official e-Migrate portal.
Rising Death Toll and Recruitment Scams
In a stark associated revelation, the external affairs ministry reported that 54,511 mortal remains of Indian nationals were brought back to India from various countries over the last decade (until October 2025). The annual number has shown a steady increase, reaching 7,096 in 2024 and nearly 5,900 in just the first ten months of 2025.
In a separate response, the government also highlighted the persistent problem of fake job offers. Dubious entities are increasingly using social media to lure Indian nationals with fraudulent overseas employment opportunities, underscoring the risks of proceeding abroad through illegal or unscrupulous recruitment agents.
