Hyderabad: Over 18 million strong Indian diaspora retains the distinction of being the largest community abroad which comprises of Non-resident Indians (NRI) and those termed as Overseas Citizens of India (OCI). Their contributions in their host countries are widely acknowledged and over the years due to their diligence, discipline and dedication they have emerged as the preferred workforce abroad ranging from the whitest to the bluest collared jobs largely spanning across North America to the Middle East.
According to estimates, we have the largest concentration in UAE, USA and Saudi Arabia with 3.4 mn, 2.6 mn and 2.4 mn respectively. President Trump, during his recent visit to India, recalled the great contribution of the 4 mn strong influential Indian origin Americans to the USA. In the Gulf, they are the most preferred and trusted professionals and workforce among all expatriates.
In its ‘An India Economic Strategy to 2035,” the Australian government calls the Australian Indian Diaspora 'a national economic asset' and should be engaged and deployed as such. It adds “harnessing the entrepreneurial spirit of this rapidly growing community, particularly its willingness to innovate and take risks and its knowledge of the Indian market will enhance the future productivity of the Australian Business sector."
For India, their growing economic and political salience has provided an influential voice in their host countries. Today, they are heading top MNCs bringing glory to the country of their origin and are often instrumental in bringing technology and investments to India. India’s IT story and financial sector investments owe them a great deal. Moreover, their annual remittances of over $60 bn add a stronger resilience to the Indian economy by way of foreign exchange reserves.
However, there is a much more sordid story of exploitation and extraction of the blue-collar workers, especially in the Gulf countries. This is largely due to ignorance of rules and rights, unscrupulous recruitment agents, and occasionally due to unsympathetic employers. Often the dictum that 'beggars can’t be choosers' applies to them. More so when many of the dream struck youth become desperate to go to the western countries in search of jobs and their dreams crash when they land up as "illegal immigrants" and their nightmare begins.
In the Gulf countries, the Work Permits/Ikamas could often have restrictive exit clauses and one-sided contracts. Their passports are often kept by the employers (Kafeels) in violation of the Indian government passport rules. Middlemen and agents often hide information and present a rosy picture to the hapless job seeker. The individual must seek guidance with state government resource centres and keep copies of all travel and contract documents at home as well. It is also necessary to take proper orientation from the concerned agencies in India and try and learn a few words and sentences in Arabic.
To protect this category of Indians going abroad for employment, their passports are endorsed with a stamp of “Emigration Clearance Required” which is given after due checks by the protectorate General of Emigrants currently located in the Ministry of External Affairs.
In collaboration with the Bureau of Immigration, a dynamic database is maintained through “e-Migrate’ system which also registers the foreign employers to make them accountable.
Indian embassies maintain an 'Indian Community Welfare Fund' to help and assist the stranded Indians and to provide them interim relief and immediate relief apart from taking up their case with concerned employers and local government agencies. There have been cases where Indian housemaids and nurses and other female staff have been ill-treated and several of the missions have opened shelters to house them and provide protection.
All persons seeking employment abroad are required to take insurance that would help in case of their sudden return or termination of the contract. Special provision for the welfare of women has been made especially with regard to the minimum age of 30 years or surety by the employer and minimum guaranteed wages. Proper orientation and skill development before departure are provided under the PPP format. But despite all precautions, some instances and unexpected situations arise.
To address such issues the Indian government has signed MoUs and bilateral agreements with several countries to ensure fair treatment of the Indians abroad and access to regular consular consultations to discuss key issues including occasional cases of excesses and more often than not to secure immediate relief.
They often hold 'Open House’ where any person can approach and raise the issue for quick redressal and 24X7 emergency contacts are made available.
Former External Affairs Minister Late Sushma Swaraj called the Indian embassies as “ Home away from Home” and had made it her mission to personally intervene to address even individual issues of the large Indian diaspora.
Current Foreign Minister carries on her legacy with greater vigour. Prime Minister Modi gives special attention to the welfare of Indians abroad and makes sure to meet and address them in specially curated events. In order to acknowledge the contributions of Indians abroad and to create and nurture emotional connectivity a 'Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas' (PBD) is celebrated when prominent NRIs/PIOs are honoured by the coveted 'PBD award'. Several State governments have set up their own welfare agencies and also host NRI related events to keep a closer connection with their own diaspora.
Indian Embassy is your one point contact in case of any problem. Do not hesitate to seek help.
India has also emerged as the first responder in case of any emergency for not only her own citizens but also from various neighbouring and other countries. Recent evacuations of Indians and others from China due to Coronavirus and from conflict zones in Yemen, Libya, Lebanon, Syria and Iraq in the last few years attest to this commitment.
Indians travelling abroad must make sure that there is no government advisory against travel to a particular country and abide by the advice given by the Indian embassy from time to time to avoid falling into a difficult situation.
The author, Anil Trigunayat, is a retired Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer who has served as former Ambassador to Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Libya and Malta.
