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UP TO 150,000 Indian workers have returned home from the Gulf region due to the global economic slowdown, the Indian Parliament has revealed.
Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi informed the country's Lower House that an estimated 50,000 to 150,000 workers have returned to India as a result of the delay in the execution of building projects.
He said most of the workers have returned to India on leave without pay with the expectation that they would be able to go back to the Gulf once the situation improves.
Worst hit has been the UAE although Mr Ravi said Indian missions in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Qatar have also stated that there had been job losses. Indians have also returned from Malaysia due to the worldwide recession.
Replying to a separate question, the minister said that the Indian Government had already strengthened its embassy in the region by posting counsellors to render assistance to workers. "They will be assisted by local Indian professionals in extending legal, medical and financial counselling to the workers in need," he added.
