But Indian migrants in the Gulf countries face special challenges relating to work environment, unscrupulous labour agents, poor living conditions.

Speaking at the special Gulf session of the 9th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in New Delhi, the Indian Minister of State for Railways, E Ahamed pointed out that the migrants going on free visas to Saudi Arabia are facing problems. They do not have direct job visas and spent their time searching for jobs with their limited resources and end up working as indenture labour. He said that unscrupulous agents in India were recruiting people and arranging free visas for them and giving them false assurances of direct employment.

The Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs, Vayalar Ravi said that he had got some of these unscrupulous agents booked and crimal actions had been taken against them.

Benny Daniel Ayer who wrote a book on the struggle of Indian migrants in the Gulf countries was felicited on the occasion by Vayalar Ravi.

OIFC Governing Council member, Yousuff Ali said that labour agreements have been signed by India with the governments of the Gulf countries for safety and security of Indian migrants. He regretted that no appropriate effort has been to tap the investments of Gulf NRIs. He suggested that the government float bonds to tap investments of Gulf NRIs. Gulf Indian should also be invited to purchase equity in the public sector companies earmarked for disinvestment, he said.

Ali also criticized the proposed Direct Tax Code Bill of India and said if not modified it would take away the NRI status of people who intend to stay in India for long time when they come for medical treatment, marriages and other urgent domestic purposes.

Governing Council member of India Development Foundation, CK Menon thanked the Indian government for ensuring voting rights to Overseas Indians.

President of International Traders (ME) Ltd, UAE, Ram Buxani suggested reservation of four seats in the Lok Sabha for NRIs – one seat for Gulf NRIs, one seat for European NRIs, one seat for American NRIs and one seat for South-East Asian NRIs.

He called for setting up of more Indian cultural centres in the Gulf countries. As the phone calls from Gulf countries to India is very costly, Buxani suggested that arrangements should be considered where a system of collect calls so that the rates become cheaper.

Buxani suggested liberal visa policy between India and Gulf countries.