16 Indian workers were deceived into working under inhumane conditions in Libya, highlighting the ongoing issue of labor exploitation faced by millions of Indians abroad.
The workers, originally in the UAE, were forced to relocate to Benghazi, Libya, for work, and are unable to leave without exit permits, despite the Indian mission providing food and supplies.
In June, a fire in Kuwait’s labour camp killed at least 40 Indian workers, drawing attention to the dangerous conditions for Indian laborers in the Gulf.
Around 13 million Indian nationals abroad, primarily in Gulf countries, contributing significantly to India’s economy, but often facing exploitative conditions.
Many workers are burdened by high recruitment fees, loans, and the exploitative kafala system in Gulf countries, which limits their rights and freedom.
The Indian government has introduced the e-Migrate system for better regulation of labor migration, but recruitment agents often bypass these safeguards.
The e-Migrate system doesn’t cover non-ECR countries like Israel and Russia, where Indian workers face additional dangers, such as death in conflict zones.
There is a call for reforming the Emigration Act, stricter monitoring of recruitment agents, and better compensation guarantees from foreign employers.
The government’s focus should shift from celebrating the diaspora’s success to addressing the struggles of workers, ensuring their issues are acknowledged at platforms like the Pravasi Bharatiya Sammelan.
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