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3 Feb 2026·Source: The Hindu
4 min
Social IssuesEconomyPolity & GovernanceNEWS

Jharkhand Migrant Workers Stranded in Dubai Seek Government Assistance

14 Jharkhand migrant workers stranded in Dubai due to unpaid wages seek government help.

Jharkhand Migrant Workers Stranded in Dubai Seek Government Assistance

Photo by Ivan Henao

At least 14 migrant workers from Jharkhand are stranded in Dubai. They are seeking assistance from the state government to facilitate their return. The workers, from Giridih, Hazaribagh, and Bokaro, released a video detailing their ordeal. They claim they are employed by a company engaged in transmission line work but have not been paid wages. The workers allege their passports have been seized, and they are not allowed to return home. They agreed to work for 1,600 dirhams each per month, but the company is deducting most of their salary to recover ticket expenses. The workers went to Dubai in October 2025. The State Migrant Workers Control Room is verifying the incident's authenticity and has requested contract details.

Key Facts

1.

14 migrant workers: Stranded in Dubai

2.

October 2025: Workers went to Dubai

3.

1,600 dirhams: Agreed monthly salary

UPSC Exam Angles

1.

GS Paper II: Social Justice, Vulnerable Sections of the population

2.

Connects to syllabus topics on labor laws, human rights, and government policies for marginalized communities

3.

Potential question types: Statement-based MCQs on labor laws, analytical questions on the challenges faced by migrant workers

Visual Insights

Jharkhand Migrant Workers Stranded in Dubai

Map showing the origin states of the migrant workers (Jharkhand) and their destination (Dubai).

Loading interactive map...

📍Dubai📍Jharkhand
More Information

Background

The issue of migrant workers and their exploitation has deep roots in historical economic disparities. The system of indentured labor during the colonial era saw many Indians transported to distant lands under exploitative contracts. While this system was formally abolished, the vulnerabilities of migrant workers persist due to factors like poverty, lack of education, and limited access to information about their rights. Over time, various laws and regulations have been enacted to protect migrant workers. The Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979, aimed to regulate the employment of inter-state migrant laborers and provide for their conditions of service. However, enforcement remains a challenge, and many workers continue to face exploitation, especially in unregulated sectors. The Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970 also plays a role in regulating contract labor, but its effectiveness is limited by loopholes and weak implementation. The Indian Constitution, under Article 23, prohibits forced labor. This fundamental right is often violated in cases of migrant worker exploitation. Additionally, Article 39 directs the State to ensure that citizens, men and women equally, have the right to an adequate means of livelihood and that the health and strength of workers are not abused. These constitutional provisions provide a framework for protecting the rights of migrant workers, but their effective implementation requires strong political will and robust enforcement mechanisms.

Latest Developments

In recent years, the government has launched initiatives to improve the conditions of migrant workers. The e-Shram portal, launched in 2021, aims to create a national database of unorganized workers, including migrant laborers, to facilitate better delivery of social security benefits. This portal helps in identifying and tracking migrant workers, enabling targeted interventions during crises. However, challenges persist in ensuring the welfare of migrant workers. Issues such as wage theft, unsafe working conditions, and lack of access to healthcare and social security continue to plague the sector. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the vulnerabilities of migrant workers, with many facing job losses, displacement, and inadequate support. The need for stronger legal frameworks and effective enforcement mechanisms is evident. Looking ahead, there is a growing recognition of the importance of protecting the rights of migrant workers. Efforts are being made to strengthen labor laws, improve monitoring and enforcement, and promote awareness among workers about their rights. The focus is on creating a more equitable and just system that ensures the well-being and dignity of migrant laborers. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has also been actively involved in advocating for the rights of migrant workers and addressing issues of exploitation.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the key facts about the Jharkhand migrant workers stranded in Dubai that are important for the Prelims exam?

Key facts include: 14 workers are stranded in Dubai, they are from Jharkhand (Giridih, Hazaribagh, and Bokaro), they went to Dubai in October 2025, and were promised 1,600 dirhams per month. Remember the number '14' and the month 'October 2025' as these can be used in MCQ options to confuse you.

Exam Tip

Focus on remembering the number of workers and the year they migrated to Dubai. These details are often tested in Prelims.

2. What is the significance of the e-Shram portal in the context of migrant workers?

The e-Shram portal, launched in 2021, aims to create a national database of unorganized workers, including migrant laborers. This helps in identifying and tracking them, enabling targeted interventions and delivery of social security benefits during crises like the one faced by the Jharkhand workers in Dubai.

3. What is indentured labor, and how does it relate to the current situation of migrant workers?

Indentured labor was a system during the colonial era where people were contracted to work for an employer for a fixed period, often under exploitative conditions. While formally abolished, the vulnerabilities of migrant workers persist due to factors like poverty and lack of education, making them susceptible to exploitation similar to indentured labor.

4. What are the potential challenges faced by the State Migrant Workers Control Room in verifying the authenticity of such incidents?

Challenges include: difficulty in accessing information from foreign countries, language barriers, lack of direct access to the workers, and potential misinformation or incomplete information provided by the workers or their families. Verifying contract details and employment terms with the company in Dubai can also be difficult.

  • •Difficulty in cross-border verification
  • •Language and communication barriers
  • •Dependence on potentially biased information sources
5. Why is the issue of Jharkhand migrant workers stranded in Dubai in the news recently?

The issue is in the news because 14 migrant workers from Jharkhand released a video detailing their ordeal of unpaid wages and passport seizure in Dubai, seeking assistance from the state government for their return. This highlights the continued vulnerability of migrant workers despite government initiatives.

6. What steps can the government take to prevent such incidents in the future?

The government can strengthen pre-departure orientation programs for migrant workers, establish better coordination with foreign embassies, enforce stricter regulations on recruitment agencies, and raise awareness among workers about their rights and available support systems. Ensuring effective implementation of the e-Shram portal is also crucial.

7. How does the issue of passport seizure impact the migrant workers, and what legal remedies are available to them?

Passport seizure restricts their movement and ability to seek alternative employment or return home. Legal remedies include reporting the incident to the Indian embassy, seeking assistance from local authorities in Dubai, and filing a complaint against the employer for violation of labor laws. However, accessing these remedies can be challenging in a foreign country.

8. What is the role of the State Migrant Workers Control Room, and how effective is it in addressing the grievances of migrant workers?

The State Migrant Workers Control Room is responsible for verifying incidents, coordinating rescue efforts, and providing assistance to migrant workers in distress. Its effectiveness depends on factors like resource availability, coordination with other agencies, and the responsiveness of foreign governments. As per the topic, it is currently verifying the authenticity and has requested contract details.

9. What are the ethical considerations involved in the recruitment and employment of migrant workers in foreign countries?

Ethical considerations include ensuring fair wages, safe working conditions, transparent contracts, and respect for human rights. Recruitment agencies should be held accountable for providing accurate information and preventing exploitation. Employers should also ensure that workers are not subjected to forced labor or passport seizure.

10. What agreed monthly salary was promised to the Jharkhand migrant workers in Dubai?

The Jharkhand migrant workers were promised a monthly salary of 1,600 dirhams each.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979: 1. The Act aims to regulate the employment of inter-state migrant laborers. 2. It provides for the conditions of service of inter-state migrant laborers. 3. The Act mandates the creation of a national database of all migrant workers. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • A.1 and 2 only
  • B.2 and 3 only
  • C.1 and 3 only
  • D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer

Answer: A

Statement 1 is CORRECT: The Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979 indeed aims to regulate the employment of inter-state migrant laborers. Statement 2 is CORRECT: The Act also provides for the conditions of service of these laborers, ensuring certain minimum standards. Statement 3 is INCORRECT: While the e-Shram portal aims to create a national database, this is a more recent initiative (2021) and not mandated by the 1979 Act. The Act focuses on regulating employment and service conditions, not creating a comprehensive database.

2. Which of the following fundamental rights enshrined in the Indian Constitution is most directly relevant to the issue of migrant workers being stranded and exploited abroad?

  • A.Right to Equality (Article 14)
  • B.Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression (Article 19)
  • C.Right against Exploitation (Article 23)
  • D.Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32)
Show Answer

Answer: C

The Right against Exploitation, specifically Article 23, prohibits forced labor and human trafficking. This is directly relevant to the situation of migrant workers being stranded and exploited, as their passports are seized and they are forced to work without proper wages, which constitutes forced labor.

3. Assertion (A): Migrant workers often face exploitation due to a lack of awareness about their rights and limited access to legal recourse. Reason (R): The e-Shram portal is designed to address this issue by creating a national database of unorganized workers and facilitating access to social security benefits. In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct?

  • A.Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
  • B.Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
  • C.A is true, but R is false
  • D.A is false, but R is true
Show Answer

Answer: A

Assertion A is TRUE: Migrant workers are indeed vulnerable to exploitation due to a lack of awareness and limited access to legal help. Reason R is TRUE: The e-Shram portal aims to address this by creating a database and facilitating access to social security. Reason R is the CORRECT explanation of A: The e-Shram portal directly addresses the lack of awareness and access by providing a centralized platform for information and benefits.

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