Punjab State Commission for NRIs on Friday asked the Union Ministries of External Affairs and Overseas Indian Affairs “to act fast and coordinate” with Indian Mission in Kuwait to release the 700 Punjabi youths detained there by their employer.
The Commission, taking suo motu cognizance of the news reports regarding detention of 700 Punjabi youth in Kuwait by their employer, asked the two concerned Union Ministries to get in touch with their counterparts “so that appropriate medical treatment, financial and legal help could be provided to them to get rid of atrocities by their employer”.
The Ministries have also been asked to get the laws invoked relating to safety and security of such Indian (Punjabi) workers.
For the purpose, the Commission, headed by its chairman Justice (retired) Arvind Kumar, stated that the Indian Government, if needed be, can appoint a special envoy at the earliest for timely intervention and results.
The Commission expressed hope that the requisite report be submitted to the Commission on or before the next date, that is October 21.
The commission noticed that the stranded Punjabis have not been provided food for the last two-three days, and were not even permitted to go outside the premises. Even the employer had kept their passports. They have also been beaten, as a result they got injuries and were admitted in the hospital, it observed.
Peeved over the lackadaisical attitude of the authorities concerned, the Commission observed, “The business of human trafficking is flourishing in the State of Punjab…A large number of registered and unregistered travel agents operating in Punjab are the major source of human trafficking.”
“Despite there has been enactment by the Punjab Government and the recommendation of this Commission to constitute law Enforcement Units, Human Trafficking Victim Relief Fund which need to be monitored by a three-member board to be constituted by the State Government headed by an officer not below the rank of Principal Secretary, yet there is no such curb,” pointed the Commission.
It added that it was “unfortunate that the Indian government is not as concerned about the safety of its citizens in foreign countries as Government of other countries are….It seems there is no one who fights for their cause. No aid or legal aid has been provided to them to fight their rights. There is nobody to help them. The situation is grim and alarming”.