A woman domestic worker is locked in or abused abroad
What usually matters in this situation, and the papers to keep ready before you meet an advocate or free legal aid (call 15100).
Your situation
- What has happened? Beaten, abused or locked in
- Which country? Gulf country (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain)
Where you stand
- In your favour Family in India can file on MADAD and contact the embassy — the worker does not have to do it alone.
Do these now
- MADAD grievance number (madad.gov.in) or embassy email reference
Lets you follow up and escalate. Where: madad.gov.in; the embassy.
Papers to gather
- Copy of the passport and visa or residence permit
The embassy needs it for any help, even if the original is taken. Where: Family copies; old photos; the agent. - Job offer or employment contract, and the employer’s name, address and phone
Proves unpaid wages or a different job. Where: Worker’s phone; agent; emigrate.gov.in record. - Worker’s exact location, local phone number and photos of the place
The embassy must be able to reach them. Where: Worker; co-workers. - Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana policy (if any)
Death or permanent disability cover of ₹10 lakh for ECR workers. Where: Agent; insurer; emigrate.gov.in.
What the law says
Indian recruitment for jobs abroad is governed by the Emigration Act, 1983: recruiting agents must be registered with the Protector General of Emigrants (check the list on emigrate.gov.in), and recruiting without a licence or charging more than the permitted fee is an offence — complain to the Protector of Emigrants and the police. The draft Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2025 has not yet replaced it. Workers with an ECR passport going to ECR countries must be covered by the Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana (₹10 lakh for death or permanent disability). Indian missions can use the Indian Community Welfare Fund for shelter, legal help, an air ticket home and transport of mortal remains for workers in distress. Grievances go on the MADAD portal; the employer’s country’s labour courts decide unpaid wages, and the embassy can help file there. Most Gulf countries now forbid employers from keeping a worker’s passport.
General information, not legal advice.
Saboot will also ask
- Who is asking?
- Did the worker go through a registered agent with emigration clearance?
Similar situations
- My husband’s employer in the Gulf took his passport
- Not paid salary for months in Saudi Arabia, UAE or Qatar
- Stuck abroad — visa expired, no work, no money for the ticket
- The job abroad is not what the agent promised
- A family member died working abroad — bringing the body home
- Claiming insurance and dues after a worker’s death abroad
- Went abroad on a visit visa for a job and now stuck
- Lured to Myanmar, Cambodia or Laos for a job and forced into scam work
Sources
- Emigration Act, 1983 (draft Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2025 not yet in force)
- MADAD — consular grievance portal, Ministry of External Affairs (madad.gov.in)
The full guide: Working abroad (Gulf and elsewhere) — passport taken, salary not paid, stuck, cheated by an agent, or a worker died abroad · All situations