SOS mobile app launched for Indian workers in distress

India has launched an SOS mobile app to help its distressed workers, particularly blue-collar labourers, in Dubai and Northern Emirates.
The Consulate General of India in Dubai announced the launch of CGI Dubai app on the eve of the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
The app has been developed in line with the Digital India project of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Khaleej Times reported.
"It will carry information about all the activities and services that we do. Whether it is consular, passport, visa, cultural or even business and commercial aspects," said Anurag Bhushan, Consul-General of India in Dubai and Northern Emirates.

"It is targeted at all sections of the community but I'm particularly concerned about the blue-collar workers because of the particular circumstances they live in," he said.
"We have this functionality of an SOS button that will allow every member of the Indian community in particularly the blue-collar workers 24x7 access to the consulate through a free call when they have any problems," Bhushan added.

The app enables a worker to make a direct call to the 24X7 toll free number of the Indian Workers' Resource Centre (IWRC) which is in charge of helping Indian citizens in distress in the UAE. IWRC forwards workers' issues to the missions.

"We also have a message-enabled access to us. If a worker wants, he can send messages via the app. His application will be registered and a unique ID number will be generated for tracking it," Bhushan said.
"The app would enable the consulate to disseminate useful information to the Indian citizens and guide them in case of distress. We will use the awareness camps by IWRC to popularise the app among the workers," he added.
The app guides users in case of exigency like a death case or any legal case in the UAE. It also offers features that help Indians moving to the UAE for employment of business opportunities with local information.