Gulf leads in migration with Saudi having highest Indian ECR workers | Mangaluru News
Mangaluru: Indian blue-collar workers constitute a significant portion of the workforce in several Gulf countries, notably Saudi Arabia. Recent data from five years indicates a strong trend of migration to the Gulf region for employment, particularly in the construction sector and other labour-intensive industries.Between Jan 2020 and June 2025, according to data shared by the ministry of external affairs in the Rajya Sabha on July 31, Indian expats working in blue-collar jobs are present in 14 countries, accounting for 16,06,964 individuals. The substantial number of Emigration Check Required (ECR) category workers in these countries underscores the economic ties and labour dynamics between India and the Gulf.Among the 14 countries, Saudi Arabia has the highest number of Indian workers, including those engaged in construction and labour-intensive work. The country currently has 695,269 workers, followed by the UAE (3,41,365 workers), Kuwait (2,01,959 workers), Qatar (1,53,501 workers), and Oman (1,16,840 workers).According to employers, mainly from Gulf countries, the revival of infrastructure and labour demand in Gulf countries started to see a notable surge in 2022 and 2023, with the highest number of workers (3,98,000) sent abroad in 2023 alone. In 2023, Saudi Arabia alone employed 2,00,713 labourers and 1,67,598 in 2024.In 2020 and 2021, the total number of blue-collar labourers moving abroad was 94,145 and 132,675, respectively. This year, as of June 2025, Saudi Arabia has recruited 71,175 workers; however, the UAE has the highest number, with 96,401 workers employed.Althaf Ullal, MD and CEO of Saad Al Qahtani Contracting (SAQCO) based in Al Khobar, said Saudi Arabia is experiencing a construction boom due to Vision 2030 projects, such as NEOM and The Line. Factors why Indian workers are preferred include their experience, reliability, and skills in construction trades, and understand Gulf culture and adapt easily. KA Sheikh Karnire, operations director at Expertise Contracting Company Limited in Saudi Arabia, also echoed Althaf’s views. “Our company alone trains and recruits 4,000-5,000 blue-collar workers from India, including temporary assignments in Saudi Arabia,” he said.Kuwait is also experiencing a high demand for labourers due to attractive compensation packages compared to other Gulf countries, according to Akash S Panwar, a Kuwait-based expatriate who has been running a construction company for the past two decades.Welfare measuresThe Union govt implemented multiple measures to protect and assist blue collar workers in times of distress. They include toll-free helplines, WhatsApp support, and mobile apps via Indian missions; Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendras (PBSKs) in key cities; Pre-Departure Orientation and Training (PDOT) and the Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojna (PBBY) for safer migration. Also, the utilisation of the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) worth Rs 703 crore since inception has benefited over 3.5 lakh Indians with legal, medical, and emergency assistance abroad.
