Discover Friendly updates on a worker from Bihar who is stranded in Dubai and how the Indian Consulate is helping him. Sheikh Meraj, a resident of the Bettiah area in West Champaran, Bihar, has been stranded in Dubai for approximately three months after allegedly paying an agent ₹60,000 for a welding job.
- Arrived in Dubai from Pune on June 9, 2026, on an employment entry permit listing his profession as a welder for the company ALSakhri Alzaabi Technical Services.
- Promised a position with a direct company but placed under a supply arrangement, suffering from a lack of regular work and financial hardship.
- Alleged experiencing mistreatment during a dispute involving 10 to 15 individuals and claims to have been forced out of his accommodation.
- Being asked for additional money to facilitate his return to India.
Following the circulation of a video showing his plight, the Consulate General of India in Dubai responded on September 2, 2026, requesting Meraj to provide his full name, passport number, company name, and contact details via official channels to facilitate assistance. The Consulate highlighted that workers facing labor issues in Dubai and the Northern Emirates can contact the Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendra (PBSK) 24/7 at the toll-free number 800 46342, via WhatsApp at +971 54 309 0571, or by email at
[email protected].
The Consulate reiterated standard guidance for job seekers, emphasizing the importance of verifying job offers through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) portal, smart app, or by calling 600590000. Officials warned against working on tourist or visit visas and stressed that ECR passport holders must utilize the government’s eMigrate system. For disputes within the private sector, workers may contact the Labour Claims and Advisory Center at 80084 or the MOHRE call center.
