The dozen workers’ agent vanished within a month after they reached Dubai.

Responding to a newspaper report about migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh, who have had to live in a bus for 14 days after they were brought to Dubai two months ago and defrauded by their agent, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted: “I will ask UP Government to register a case against this unscrupulous agent. Our Embassy will help in Dubai. (sic)”

The Times of India had reported on Monday about the deplorable conditions in which a dozen workers were living in Dubai, after being duped by a travel agent who promised them employment and high salary. The labourers, who were charged Rs 60,000-70,000 for their visa, raised loans and in some cases sold off ancestral property and jewellery to pay for it. After the workers reached Dubai, the agency — Qasr Al-Ameer — vanished in a month. The migrants’ passports were in the custody of the employer, and they lost their accommodation. After living in a bus on the outskirts of the dazzling city for around two weeks, they were taken in by Indian expatriates, who promised to help them.

Girish Pant, a social activist who works in a private firm in Dubai, and Dubai-based fashion designer Juhi Khan have been helping the migrant workers get their documents processed so they can return home. Read More