Press Release
Embassy of India
Doha
PRESS RELEASE
25 December, 2015
Community Welfare - Salient Information for December, 2015
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Embassy of India, Doha accords highest priority to the well-being and welfare of Indian nationals in Qatar and works closely with the authorities concerned towards this end. The Embassy appreciates the cooperation of the Government of Qatar in following up any consular/labour issues/cases of Indian nationals.
An Embassy team visited the Central Prison and Deportation Centre on 21 December, 2015 to enquire about the welfare of detainees from India. The total number of Indian nationals in the Central Prison and the Deportation Centre currently is 90 and 193, respectively.
During the current year, the Labour and Community Welfare Section of the Embassy has received a total of 4080 complaints, so far. The number of complaints received during 2014 was 3943.
On the basis of requests received from the Qatari authorities for travel documents for Indian nationals in the Deportation Centre, the Embassy has issued 19 Emergency Certificates (ECs) in December, 2015. The Embassy also issued 9 air tickets to Indian nationals in distress for their return to India in December, 2015.
The number of deaths registered in the Embassy in December, 2015 so far is 15. The number of deaths registered till now during 2015 is 275. The number of deaths registered during 2014 was 279.
Indian Community Benevolent Forum [ICBF], an Indian community organization functioning under the aegis of Embassy of India, Doha, continues to help Indian workers through various welfare measures, including provision of air tickets, financial assistance and medical help. The assistance given by the ICBF to Indian nationals during December, 2015 includes air ticket for a destitute worker and financial assistance towards other services.
The Embassy had organized its monthly Open House to address urgent consular and labour issues/cases of Indian nationals on 25 December, 2015. The Ambassador and other officials along with ICBF Vice President Mr. Baby Kurien were available till late in the evening. While there were no fresh complaints, the meeting was utilized to review progress on recent complaints received by the Embassy.
ICBF periodically organizes free Medical Camp for the low-paid workers of all nationalities. ICBF’s next Medical Camp is scheduled to be held at M/s. Aster Medical Centre premises in the Industrial Area from 0730 hours to 1330 hours on Friday, 22 January, 2016. The Medical Camp is being organized in collaboration with Indian Doctors Club (Indian Medical Association) and Aster Medical Centre. Any urgent consular and labour issues/cases of Indian nationals may also be conveyed to Embassy officials at the Medical Camp.
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