Kuwait City: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently prioritised the welfare of the Indian diaspora, especially workers abroad. During his visit to Kuwait, he toured the Gulf Spic Labour Camp, home to a large population of Indian workers, where he interacted with them. With approximately 1 million Indians, Kuwait is home to the largest expatriate community in the Gulf, spread across various sectors.
PM Modi has a history of engaging with Indian workers overseas. In 2016, he visited the L&T workers’ residential complex in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and the All Women IT Centre of Tata Consultancy Services in Riyadh. That same year, he visited a workers’ camp in Doha, Qatar, and in 2015, he addressed concerns over the welfare of migrant workers during a visit to a labour camp in Abu Dhabi.
E-Migrate platform
To ensure the protection of Indian workers, PM Modi launched the e-Migrate project in 2014. This online platform aims to streamline the emigration process, reduce malpractices, and ensure transparency. It has integrated services like the Passport Seva Project, insurance agencies offering the Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojna, and the DG Shipping system for seafarers, ensuring a fast and efficient emigration cycle.
The government has also strengthened the Overseas Employment & Protector General of Emigrants Division, opening 16 offices across India to facilitate emigration. Moreover, the Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendra has been bolstered to help migrant workers with information and grievance redressal, including the establishment of regional centers in major cities.
PM Modi improves conditions for Indian workers
PM Modi has made significant strides to improve conditions for Indian workers abroad. Earlier this year, he announced the construction of a hospital for Indian workers in Dubai, after UAE allocated land for the project. Following the Kuwait fire tragedy, which claimed over 40 Indian lives, PM Modi chaired a review meeting and provided ex-gratia relief to the victims’ families.
India also signed a key MoU with Kuwait in 2021, focusing on the protection of domestic workers’ rights. That apart, PM Modi’s efforts, which included advocating for higher wages for workers in Gulf nations, show his commitment to the diaspora’s welfare.
