Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether Government has got any information about recruitment of Indians for serving in private firms working for the US army occupying Iraq and Afghanistan;

(b) whether Government is aware that many of them have been recruited illegally without travel documents;

(c) whether Government is aware that these workers are living in camps in Iraq and Afghanistan in prison-like conditions without proper facilities and are not being paid salary as promised by the recruiters; and

(d) whether Government would conduct an enquiry into this?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI E. AHAMED)

(a) to (d) The Indian Embassy in Iraq has informed that they are not aware of any Indian workers serving in private firms working for the US army bases in Iraq. Our Embassy in Kabul has no information on illegal recruitment of Indians to work in US army bases in Afghanistan and has not received any complaints from Indian workers on remuneration or working hours.

The Government attaches the highest importance to welfare of all Indians working abroad and makes all efforts to safeguard their interests, including through Indian Embassies abroad. Any allegations of irregularities in recruitment and maltreatment of Indian workers abroad are promptly investigated. Whenever concerns about the welfare of Indian workers come into attention of the Indian Embassies abroad, they render all possible assistance for the welfare of workers and also take up the matter with the employers and local government authorities.

http://www.mea.gov.in/mystart.php?id=220118834.

Afghanistan

South Asia