Three Indians die every week in Gulf countries, more than 800 people lost their lives in three years, know the main reason

An important news is coming out about the life of Indian citizens working abroad. According to data from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, more than 800 Indian tourists are estimated to die while working abroad from 2023 to 2025.

Shockingly, 55% of these deaths occurred in the Gulf countries, where an average of three workers die every week. An explosion in Qatar last month that killed 12 Indians has renewed concern over these accidents and safety lapses.

Saudi Arabia tops the list of countries with the highest number of deaths at 182 in three years, which means that more than one Indian worker has lost his life every week. Next comes the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with 128 deaths. Additionally, Gulf countries have also seen the highest number of suicide cases, highlighting the difficult struggles faced by migrant workers there.

According to Telangana NRI Migrants Association and experts, several main reasons are responsible for these deaths. The main culprit is the lack of safety regulations. This could be due to workers not using safety equipment such as helmets, shoes and gloves, or companies failing to implement safety protocols. Often, workers themselves are unaware of the hazards.

In addition, many workers work in temperatures above 45°C and then return to rooms as cold as 20°C. This sudden temperature difference of 20-25 degrees on the body can cause serious health problems. Most Indians in the Gulf countries work in sectors such as construction, retail trade, warehouses and automobiles, where risks are high.

In addition, according to the association, poor living conditions are the main reason for the increase in worker suicides. Consider this: Workers are forced to live in cramped quarters and receive poor food.

Additionally, workers work 12 hours a day, yet sometimes go without pay for up to three months. Even when they get their salary, they are subjected to arbitrary deductions, which further adds to their mental stress. In addition, many employers abdicate responsibility for at-work deaths by attributing them to natural causes (such as heart attacks). Very few companies provide compensation through insurance.

Keeping these figures in mind, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) says the government prioritizes the safety and well-being of Indians living abroad. Overseas Indian Aid Centers have been established in New Delhi as well as in cities such as Dubai, Riyadh and Jeddah.

While Indian missions are actively working through their labor wings, they are traveling to remote areas to organize open houses and camps to address workers’ problems. Further, to ensure the safety of women, only government agencies are permitted to send women holding ECR passports to Gulf countries through the e-migrate portal.