Indian migration to the gulf: overview of trends and policy initiatives by India

Abstract

India is a major contributor to the world's skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled labour migrants. Within the overall Indian migration context, the IndiaGulf migration corridor is of particular interest. Since the oil boom of the 1970s, the Gulf region has been a major destination for Indian workers. This chapter provides an overview of the India-Gulf migration relationship and the role of policies in shaping migration flows. The trends and characteristics in labour flows from India to the Gulf are presented followed by the policy initiatives taken by India for the welfare of Indian migrants in the Gulf including bilateral initiatives to better manage migration flows and realise associated benefits. This chapter also discusses the problems faced by Indian migrants in the Gulf and analyses the multilateral commitments of the GCC countries and how bilateral agreements with these countries could promote the interests of Indian migrants in the Gulf. The conclusion outlines steps that need to be taken to address gaps in the policy framework to enable a strong, healthy and mutually beneficial labour mobility partnership.