161 Indian Migrant Workers Stranded in Saudi Arabia, Allege Forced Labour and Passport Seizure

Ambedkarnagar/Abha (Saudi Arabia):
As many as 161 Indian migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan are stranded in Abha city of Saudi Arabia, facing severe humanitarian distress after their work visas expired and their employer allegedly confiscated their passports, preventing them from returning home.

Among those affected are several workers from Ambedkarnagar district of Uttar Pradesh, including Santosh Kumar and Hridesh Kumar, residents of Amiya Wamanpur village in Baskhari block. For the past three months, the workers claim they have received no wages and inadequate food, pushing them to the brink of starvation.

Allegations of Forced Labour

According to family members, the workers’ visas expired nearly six months ago, yet the company has neither regularised their status nor arranged their repatriation. Instead, the employer is allegedly forcing them to continue working, primarily in painting and other manual jobs, despite their illegal visa status.

Families back in India, many of whom are economically weak, are struggling to send money to their stranded relatives just to help them survive. “We ourselves are barely managing, but still sending whatever little we can so they don’t starve,” said a family member.

Passports Withheld

Hridesh Kumar’s father, Rammilan, stated that his son desperately wants to return to India but is unable to do so because the company has kept his passport in its custody. Similar concerns have been raised by the family of Santosh Kumar, whose household — including elderly parents, a wife and three children — is entirely dependent on his earnings.

Emotional Toll on Families

Hridesh’s family includes elderly parents, his wife and two minor children aged 12 and 8, who are anxiously awaiting his return. Santosh Kumar is the sole breadwinner for his family, and the sudden halt in income has pushed them into financial crisis.

Appeal to Government Goes Viral

In desperation, the stranded workers released videos on social media, appealing directly to the Government of India for immediate intervention and safe repatriation. Following the viral videos, social activist Abid Hussain spoke to the workers and forwarded detailed information to the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Jeddah. Several social organisations have also taken up the matter with diplomatic authorities.

Workers from Gorakhpur, Sant Kabir Nagar, Lucknow, Lakhimpur Kheri, Azamgarh and Basti districts are also part of the affected group.

Demand for Immediate Action

Families and rights groups have urged the Indian government to take urgent diplomatic steps to ensure the release of passports, payment of pending wages, and safe return of all stranded Indian workers.

The incident once again highlights the vulnerability of Indian migrant workers abroad and the urgent need for stronger monitoring and protection mechanisms.