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The government informed the Lok Sabha Wednesday that 269 Indians committed suicides in the Gulf during 2005.
Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed said in a written reply that this figure is as per the information collected by the Indian Embassies in Doha, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Muscat, Riyadh and Kuwait.
He said this year 166 suicides committed by Indians have come to their notice. The reasons are manifold including personal, financial, family and work related.
On the basis of the data collected the highest number of 100 suicides took place during 2005 and 69 so far this year in UAE. This was followed by 69 in Saudi Arabia during 2005 and 37 till date this year, followed by 44 and 23 in Oman respectively.
He said in order to promote the welfare of overseas Indian communities in countries of the Gulf, Indian missions have designated officers to look after community welfare. Towards this end, the missions by themselves and in concert with community welfare associations facilitate social and cultural activities, along with provision of counselling and legal assistance.
Some missions also hold 'open houses' once a month at which any Indian national is free to discuss with senior officials of the mission any kind of personal or work related problem.
He said in India, it has been made mandatory from November 15, 2003 for the recruiting agents to submit all the employment documents, demand letter, power of attorney and specimen employment contract in original for obtaining emigration clearance. Further, in respect of vulnerable categories such as unskilled labour, housemaids/domestic workers, these employment documents are also required to be attested by the concerned Indian Missions, Ahamed added.