With more than nine million Indians residing in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman, the region remains a major destination for Indian migrants seeking employment. India is the world’s largest recipient of remittances, a significant portion of which comes from the GCC countries. Initially, Indian migrants were primarily employed in blue-collar sectors such as construction, domestic services, and maintenance. However, in recent years, there has been a notable shift, with a growing number of Indians taking up white-collar jobs in sectors such as healthcare, finance, education, and information technology.
Despite the economic benefits, migration to GCC countries is fraught with challenges. All six nations are monarchies with limited labor rights, leading to frequent reports of human rights violations, particularly among low-income migrant workers. A major concern is the controversial kafala (sponsorship) system, under which a local employer (kafeel) exercises extensive control over a migrant’s legal and employment status. This often results in exploitation and abuse, as workers cannot change jobs or leave the country without their sponsor’s permission. In recent years, GCC countries have begun reforming their labor laws, with some modifying or abolishing aspects of the kafala system to enhance worker protections and adapt to post-pandemic labor market dynamics.
Numerous painful stories of young Indians who went abroad for work continue to surface, many of them visible on social media. Aman Bhola, a mechanical engineer from Delhi, moved to Kuwait in April 2023 with hopes of a better future. Initially, the job opportunity appeared promising, but reality proved entirely different. During the interview, Aman was assured of standard working hours, proper overtime pay, and a respectful work environment. However, workers at the company were made to work nearly 16 hours a day. According to the law, there is a maximum working-hour limit and provision for 125 percent overtime pay, but Aman stated that workers received only about 65 percent. Complaints from workers began to surface continuously, most of them directed against the company’s HR team. When workers repeatedly raised concerns about working hours, wages, and facilities, attempts were made to silence them. After Aman conveyed workers’ grievances to management, he was demoted from engineer to foreman. Later, after requesting the manager and company owner, he was reinstated as an engineer. This made it clear that positions and postings were being used to pressure those who spoke up. When Aman subsequently filed a complaint with Kuwait’s Public Authority for Manpower over labor law violations, he began facing harassment and was assaulted. He spent a year unemployed fighting for justice. Eventually, a false police case was filed against him, and he was deported to India.
A similar story is that of Vishwakarma. He paid a large sum to an agent for what was promised to be a good job and even sold his shop to finance the move. However, upon reaching abroad, he was forced into construction work. Vishal, Ranjit, Lallan, and Jugesh from Uttarakhand were told they would be packing water bottles, but after reaching Dubai, they were made to perform heavy labor in extreme heat. Later, they posted videos on Instagram seeking help.
Mohammad from Uttar Pradesh was sent to Saudi Arabia under the pretext of a driver’s job but was made to tend goats and camels instead. Helpless, he appealed for assistance on social media. Saudi Arabia, one of the largest employers of migrant workers from India, has repeatedly faced criticism for its treatment of foreign laborers. Reports by human rights organizations, journalists, and advocacy groups have exposed systematic labor rights violations, leaving thousands of Indian workers trapped in unsafe and harsh conditions. Among the most egregious violations is wage withholding, where employers delay or refuse payment, forcing workers into extreme poverty. Employers also confiscate workers’ passports, preventing them from leaving the country or seeking help. Many laborers work in life-threatening environments without adequate safety measures, resulting in serious injuries and even death. Some workers, particularly domestic workers, report beatings, sexual violence, and harassment.
Similarly, domestic workers—many of them Indian women—have reported cases of extreme violence and sexual abuse. A significant number face physical assault by their employers, and in the absence of legal protection or the ability to leave their jobs, they remain helpless and traumatized.
The Indian government has been criticized for its inadequate response to the suffering of its citizens in Gulf countries. Diplomatic efforts have been made in discussions with Saudi authorities, but these initiatives often fail due to lack of enforcement and accountability. Moreover, recruitment agencies and middlemen in India play a significant role in labor trafficking, often charging exorbitant fees and misleading job seekers about the realities of working in Saudi Arabia. The plight of Indian workers in Saudi Arabia represents a grim example of modern-day slavery that persists despite international labor laws and human rights agreements. Unless systemic reforms are implemented, thousands of Indian workers will remain trapped in a cycle of exploitation, and their dreams of a better life will continue to be shattered. The time for action is now—governments, activists, and international organizations must unite to end this oppressive system and ensure dignity and justice for all migrant workers.
