Right Sider 
A group of 38 Indian nationals who went to Armenia for jobs say they were abused and cheated by recruitment agencies in the foreign country
A group of 38 Indian nationals who went to Armenia for jobs say they were abused and cheated by recruitment agencies in the foreign country. The Indian embassy in Armenia is now trying to help the workers go back home safely. This incident shows the need for better rules to protect foreign employees.
False Promises and Bad Living Conditions
The Indian men say they each paid large amounts of money to agents who arrange jobs abroad. These agents promised them good salaries and housing in Armenia. But when the Indians reached Armenia, everything was different.
The workers were made to stay inside small, hot shipping containers. There were no fans, beds, bathrooms or any living facilities. The containers were also dirty with no way to keep things clean or have privacy.
Hard Work and Low Pay
The job the Indians were given was also different from what the agents promised. The workers had to lift very heavy construction materials the whole day without enough safety equipment. With very few breaks or days off, they worked for nearly 12-14 hours daily.
Even after so much hard work in the hot sun, the Indian workers were not paid their full salaries. Their bosses kept a part of the wages, broke rules and did not allow the Indians to move around freely or contact their families.
Seeking Help and Finding None
Facing continuous injustice, the 38 Indians somehow contacted the Indian embassy in Armenia and complained about the abuse. The embassy officials helped the workers connect with the agents who had recruited them from India. But the agents refused to help the Indians or arrange their trip back home.
The Indians also got legal help from a local human rights organization in Armenia. However, the main support has to come from the Indian government to pressure Armenia to act against the job agencies that lied and mistreated the workers.
Need for New Rules
This situation shows Armenia needs new rules on foreign job recruitment agencies and employers. When workers pay large sums for overseas jobs, it makes them vulnerable to abuse. Job agents make false promises, force difficult living conditions and cut salaries as workers have no support in a foreign land.
As more foreigners come to Armenia for work, the government must introduce laws that protect foreign workers and punish cheating recruiters or employers. The Indian embassy is asking Armenia to discuss changes to rules about foreign workers’ rights, their living conditions and full pay. But talks alone will not end abuse. Strong action and enforcement are equally necessary to help all workers be safe and treated fairly.
