India Establishes One-Stop Centres in Gulf Countries to Safeguard Women Workers
MEA initiative ensures immediate assistance, legal aid, and counselling for Indian women abroad
POSTED BY:- Poonam S. Juthani
DT:-23/08/2026
9867490397
Mumbai, August 14, 2026 — The Government of India has announced a major step to strengthen the safety and welfare of Indian women workers employed in Gulf countries. As part of its diplomatic and humanitarian outreach, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has established seven state-of-the-art One-Stop Centres across major Gulf cities to provide immediate, coordinated assistance to women facing crisis situations.
Details Shared in Parliament
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh shared the information in response to a question raised in the Rajya Sabha by MP Rajeev Singh, who sought clarity on challenges faced by Indian workers in the Gulf and the measures being taken by India.
The Minister highlighted that nearly 10 million Indian citizens reside in the Gulf region, including:
- 4.5 million in the UAE
- 2.7 million in Saudi Arabia
- 1 million in Kuwait
- 820,000 in Qatar
- 670,000 in Oman
- 310,000 in Bahrain
Between 2014 and June 2026, a total of 5,025,506 emigrant workers holding Emigration Check Required (ECR) passports were granted Emigration Clearance (EC) for overseas employment in these six Gulf countries.
Recruitment and Safeguards
The Minister emphasized that recruitment of Indian workers in the Gulf can only be conducted through State-run Recruitment Agencies (RAs) or directly by foreign employers (FEs) registered with the concerned Indian Mission/Post.
For women workers, additional safeguards have been mandated:
- Employers hiring women must deposit a financial guarantee of US$ 2,500 with the Indian Mission/Post abroad.
- Employment contracts must be duly attested by the Indian Mission.
One-Stop Centres in Gulf Countries
Seven One-Stop Centres have been established in:
- Manama (Bahrain)
- Muscat (Oman)
- Doha (Qatar)
- Riyadh (Saudi Arabia)
- Dubai (UAE)
- Jeddah (Saudi Arabia)
- Kuwait City (Kuwait)
These centres provide:
- Dedicated helplines
- Access to medical and police assistance
- Legal aid and counselling
- Psycho-social support
The initiative ensures that Indian women in distress can access timely, comprehensive, and coordinated assistance.
Support Channels
Minister Singh further noted that established channels have been set up to enable Indian workers to reach out to Missions/Posts abroad, including:
- Walk-in appointments
- Email communication
- Multilingual 24×7 emergency numbers
- WhatsApp helplines
- Grievance redressal portals like MADAD, CPGRAMS, and eMigrate
- Social media channels
Additionally, Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendras (PBSKs) have been set up in Dubai, Jeddah, and Riyadh to provide guidance and counselling to Indian workers.
Complaints and Resolution
The Minister shared data on complaints received by Indian Missions, noting that most cases were resolved promptly. He also highlighted the role of the Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana (PBBY), which has provided significant benefits to Indian workers travelling abroad, offering insurance coverage and financial protection.
Conclusion
The establishment of One-Stop Centres in the Gulf marks a significant milestone in India’s efforts to safeguard its diaspora, particularly women workers. By combining diplomatic initiatives with practical support mechanisms, the MEA has reinforced its commitment to ensuring the safety, dignity, and well-being of Indian citizens abroad.
This initiative reflects India’s broader vision of protecting its workforce globally, while strengthening bilateral ties with Gulf nations through humanitarian and welfare measures.
