Updated 9 February 2026 at 08:15 IST
Facing extreme hardship after months without salaries, ample food, or obvious pathways to return dwelling, the touch-down in Mumbai for a total lot of marks the live of a nightmare characterized by unpaid wages, confiscated passports, and months of faithful uncertainty in international lands.

Homecoming in Mumbai | Image:
Republic
Contemporary Delhi: In a poignant clarify of relief and nationwide team spirit, a minimal of 47 Indian migrants who had been reportedly stranded in Saudi Arabia, at final arrived at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj World Airport (CSMIA) currently.
Facing extreme hardship after months without salaries, ample food, or obvious pathways to return dwelling, the touch-down in Mumbai for a total lot of marks the live of a nightmare characterized by unpaid wages, confiscated passports, and months of faithful uncertainty in international lands.
The returnees, showing weary but visibly moved, agree with been greeted by relatives and government officials.
Following the advent of the first 14 returnees the day earlier than currently, a second batch of 100 stranded migrants is scheduled to attain Mumbai by February 10.
The staff, primarily employed within the building and labour sectors, had earlier appealed to the Indian government and embassy authorities for urgent intervention and repatriation.
What did they tell?
The labourers tell their employer has didn’t pay wages for an prolonged length, leaving them in precarious dwelling stipulations with diminutive gain entry to to in style requirements.
Experiences indicate that some workers are struggling with health components and lack funds even for extremely crucial medicines or day-to-day sustenance. Such incidents highlight the continuing challenges confronted by Indian blue-collar workers in Gulf countries, the effect components esteem wage theft, passport confiscation, and restricted mobility continue to surface no topic labour reforms.
This most recent homecoming is fragment of a broader, intensified effort by the Ministry of Exterior Affairs (MEA) to repatriate voters caught in challenging geopolitical tensions and labor disputes all the absolute most practical method through the globe.
The Voices of the Returnees
In an authentic dialog with Republic TV, one worler, when requested referring to the role of the Indian authorities, the returnees agree with been unanimous in their gratitude.
One migrant, overcome with emotion, mentioned, “This is all thanks to the contribution of the Government of India. Who else would listen to us if not them? The government negotiates with everyone on our behalf; this return is entirely due to the government’s kindness and efforts.”
A Fable of Survival
One other returnees described a harrowing expertise the effect they agree with been treated esteem pawns. One employee shared the timeline of their ordeal declaring, “The situation was very bad. We didn’t even have money for food. The company just kept tossing us around and making us dance to their tunes. He originally went there on October 20th, but by November 1st, we were just sitting there idle with no work and no pay. We had been stuck in that limbo ever since.”
Backdrop of broader traits
This case comes in opposition to the backdrop of broader traits in 2025, when Saudi Arabia deported over 10,800 Indian nationals, the finest number globally, primarily due to the visa overstays, enable violations, and tightened immigration enforcement.
At the same time, multiple reports agree with documented a complete lot of Indian (along with Nepali and Bangladeshi) workers employed by companies esteem Sendan World going through up to eight months of unpaid salaries, inedible food supplies, and boundaries to leaving the nation.
Published By : Amrita Narayan
Published On: 9 February 2026 at 08:15 IST




