13 Indian workers rescued from illegal employment in Laos
New Delhi, May 26: The Embassy of India in Laos, in collaboration with local authorities, has successfully rescued thirteen Indian workers who were trapped in illegal work arrangements in Laos. These individuals, deceived by false promises of employment, have been repatriated back to India.
"In our continued efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of Indians, the Embassy successfully rescued and repatriated 13 Indians, including seven Odiya workers from a wood factory in Attapeu province and six Indian youths from the Golden Triangle SEZ in Bokeo province of Laos," stated a press release from the Indian embassy in Laos. The release further noted, "So far, the Embassy has rescued 428 Indians from Laos PDR. We thank the local authorities for their cooperation."
The embassy and the Ministry of External Affairs have been issuing warnings to Indian workers about the risks of falling prey to fake or illegal job offers, particularly those related to cyber scams. The Indian government has repeatedly issued travel advisories, urging people to follow legal procedures and verify job offers with the embassy.
In the past three months, hundreds of Indians have also been repatriated from Cambodia. The ongoing efforts to protect Indian citizens from fraudulent job offers highlight the persistent warnings from officials about the dangers of pursuing dubious employment opportunities abroad. Indian nationals are urged to adhere to travel advisories and exercise caution when seeking employment overseas.
Reports have surfaced of Indian nationals being lured into illegal activities, such as online financial scams, by human traffickers posing as legitimate employers. To combat this issue, the Ministry of External Affairs has intensified its collaboration with various countries in Southeast Asia to assist affected Indian nationals.
Despite successful rescue operations, challenges remain, with additional cases requiring urgent attention. Reports of unlawful detentions of Indian nationals in Cambodia, Laos, and other Southeast Asian countries have prompted increased vigilance among Indian citizens considering overseas employment.
In light of these developments, Indian authorities continue to emphasize the importance of vigilance and caution among citizens seeking work abroad. By staying informed and exercising prudence, individuals can protect themselves from falling victim to fraudulent schemes, ensuring their safety and well-being in foreign countries.
The Ministry of External Affairs has advised Indian nationals planning to travel for employment to exercise caution and ensure they go through authorized channels and agents only. It is also imperative to conduct thorough background checks on prospective employers in Cambodia or Laos to safeguard against potential exploitation.
This distressing situation reflects a larger trend in Southeast Asia, where many individuals fall victim to human traffickers orchestrating deceptive job scams. Most victims, often young and technologically adept, are initially offered legitimate-sounding employment opportunities before being enticed into illicit online activities such as money laundering, cryptocurrency fraud, and romance scams. The Ministry of External Affairs continues to actively address these challenges, working to protect and repatriate Indian nationals caught in these schemes.
