Qatar assures PM Modi on issue of Indian migrants facing abuse
Doha, June 6: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (June 5) raised the issue of Indian migrants facing abuse in Qatar during a visit to the Gulf country this weekend. [PM Modi meets business leaders in Doha]
The latter assured the Indian PM that labour reforms will see improvement in the conditions of more than half a million Indian migrants there, a statement said.
Over 6 lakh Indians reside in Qatar, making them the single-largest group of migrants in the country of 2 million people. Many of them are employed in low-paid construction work, building stadia and other infrastructure for the 2022 Fifa World Cup.
Human rights groups often accuse the Qatar authorities of abusing migrants by forcing them to work under poor safety conditions. Unions and labour protests are not allowed and authorities take strict action against dissent either by means of imprisonment or deportation.
The joint statement said PM Modi met Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani on Sunday and discussed the Indian migrants' plight.
"The Qatari side briefed the Indian side on the reform in labour laws which would protect the interest of skilled and unskilled labour in Qatar," said the statement issued by the prime minister's office.
PM Modi also thanked the Qatari leadership for "hosting the Indian community and for ensuring their continued welfare and safety."
The Indian prime minister is in the middle of a five-nation tour, including the US where he will be visiting the fourth time in less than two years.
Oneindia News