Gulf workers’ group in Hyderabad write to PM, seeks social, legal protection for migrant labourers

Hyderabad: The Emigrants Welfare Forum in Hyderabad, representing the Indian migrant workers in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, has written a letter to prime minister Narendra Modi highlighting the need for social and legal security for Indian migrant workers in the Gulf region.

The letter contained the takeaways from a two-day consultation held on January 28 and 29 in Dubai, UAE, where the topic of ‘Indian Migrant Workers in the Gulf - Welfare and Social Security by the Government of India’ was discussed among the representatives of Indian community organisations from across the GCC states.

With 8.8 million Indians living and working in the six GCC countries, the largest expatriate Indian community contributes significantly to the region’s development, the letter said.

Here are some of the issues and needs regarding social security of migrant workers highlighted in the letter:

Social Security, Emigration and Legal Protection

- Expand Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana (PBBY) to include natural death coverage alongside accident insurance for both ECR and ECNR passport holders.

- Implement a comprehensive social security scheme encompassing insurance and pension for Indian migrant workers in the Gulf.

- Create a Reintegration, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement Scheme for returning migrants.

- Modernise the Emigration Act 1983 with a new Emigration Bill.

- Establish joint committees with Gulf nations for regular review of bilateral labour agreements and MoUs.

- Provide legal aid to secure End of Service Benefits (EOSB) from Gulf employers.

- Abolish the ECR/ECNR passport categorisation; advocate for a single passport type.

- Implement mandatory pre-departure orientation and training (PDOT) for all emigrants.

- Offer incentives to remittance senders, similar to Bangladesh’s 2.5 per cent program.

- Mandate registration with Indian missions abroad and at exit points in India for all citizens.

- Reserve quotas in educational institutions for children of Gulf workers studying in India.

- Ensure inclusion of Gulf migrants and returnees in existing social welfare schemes, regardless of ration card status.

The NGO also welcomed PM Modi to the ‘Ahlan Modi’ program scheduled for February 13 in Abu Dhabi, UAE and the inauguration of the BAPS Hindu Mandir on February 14.