11 Migrant Workers Stranded in Oman, Appeals Made for MEA Intervention

Quick Summary

• Incident: 11 migrant workers from West Bengal, India, allege thier passports were confiscated by employers in Oman after they refused to work long hours without pay.
• Details: Workers were promised contracts for 10-hour shifts with additional pay for overtime and four monthly leaves but were made to work up to 22-hour shifts without compensation.
• Mismanagement Allegations:

– Workers claim they performed physically demanding tasks beyond their agreed scope of work (e.g., waste segregation and loading fish).
– They were denied medical benefits and charged penalties for absenteeism or illness.

• Current Situation:

– Workers are owed four months’ salary and additional payment for overtime hours.
– After demanding rightful pay on August 26,the workers were evicted from official accommodations and forced to live in mosques while surviving on leftover food from local restaurants.

• Appeal: The workers have requested intervention from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and also the indian Embassy in Oman, seeking repatriation.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The plight of these migrant workers highlights complex challenges india faces with labor migration. While opportunities abroad are often seen as pathways out of economic hardship at home, cases like this reflect vulnerabilities inherent in overseas employment contracts-especially those involving unskilled labor sectors. The alleged passport confiscation is a serious breach that violates international labor rights standards.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has a crucial role here-not just in facilitating immediate rescue or repatriation but also in addressing systemic issues related to regulating overseas job brokers, ensuring contract transparency, and safeguarding migrant welfare abroad. This case underscores an urgent need for sustained diplomatic engagement with host countries like Oman concerning labor protection mechanisms.

For India’s large migrant workforce dependent on jobs abroad, enforcing robust protective measures against exploitative practices could build greater confidence among potential migrants while maintaining strong bilateral ties globally.

Read more: Eight migrant workers stranded in Oman return home