The Indian government has established seven One-Stop Centres in major Gulf cities to provide immediate, coordinated assistance to Indian women facing crises. These new centres are designed to help workers deal with workplace issues and personal emergencies safely.
Here are the key points from the announcement:
- Seven centres opened in Manama, Muscat, Doha, Riyadh, Dubai, Jeddah, and Kuwait.
- Support provided for employment disputes, unpaid wages, passport seizures, exploitation, and violence.
- Each location offers 24/7 helplines, legal aid, medical help, and counseling.
The Ministry of External Affairs reported to Parliament that approximately 10 million Indian citizens reside in the Gulf region, with significant populations in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain. To enhance worker protection,
the government now mandates that recruitment of female workers must be conducted exclusively through state-run recruitment agencies or foreign employers registered with Indian embassies or missions. Foreign employers are required to deposit a
$2,500 financial guarantee with the respective Indian Mission or Post and must obtain an attested employment contract.
Indian Missions have also implemented various support channels for distress cases, including walk-in appointments, email, multilingual 24/7 emergency numbers, WhatsApp services, and grievance portals such as MADAD, CPGRAMS, and eMigrate. Additionally, Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendras in
Dubai, Riyadh, and Jeddah provide ongoing guidance and counseling. Highlighting the necessity of these measures, the government informed Parliament in March 2026 that 88 stranded Indian women workers were assisted at the One-Stop Centre in Muscat, Oman, with repatriation processes underway. Similarly, in the UAE, the Indian Mission in Abu Dhabi is working with local authorities to facilitate the return of an Indian woman. Indian women working in the Gulf are advised to contact Indian Embassies, Consulates, One-Stop Centres, or official portals directly rather than relying solely on private agents or employers during crises.
