Exploitation of Indian workers in Gulf has come down: Minister

Exploitation of Indian workers in the Gulf countries has come down significantly on the back of a series of steps being taken and social security agreements being signed by the governments, Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi said Wednesday.

"The first priority of the ministry has been to protect the interests of Indian workers in the Gulf. We have taken several steps. Now the complaint has come down significantly," Ravi said while addressing a press conference here.

Ravi said India has signed social security agreements with almost all the Gulf countries which has helped reduce exploitation of low-paid workers.

He said Indian missions provide all necessary supports, including shelter and repatriation facilities with a view to save Indian workers from any sort of exploitations.

Ravi was addressing a press conference at the 12th annual diaspora convention - called the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) - being organised here by his ministry.

The minister said the government also provides insurance and other financial and technical support to low-paid NRI workers aiming to shield them from exploitations.

On the concluding day Thursday of the three-day event at Vigyan Bhavan, a special session will be organised to discuss the issues related to the Indian workers in the Gulf, the minister said.

"This session will also deliberate on various options for rehabilitation of the returnees. We shall continue to serve our citizens abroad and deepen our engagement with our diaspora," he added.