Press release

National Human Rights Commission

New Delhi: 9th February 2026

NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reported Indian migrant workers stranded in Dubai

Workers from three districts of Jharkhand allege passport seizure, unpaid wages and denial of return to India

The Commission issues notices to the state Chief Secretary and the Head of the State Migrant Workers Control Room, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that at least 14 migrant workers from the Giridih, Hazaribagh and Bokaro districts of Jharkhand have been stranding in Dubai. Reportedly, a company engaged in transmission line work had employed them and seized their passports to block their journey back home. Their wages are also not being paid. The workers have appealed to the Government of Jharkhand to facilitate their safe return to India.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise serious issues of violation of human rights. Therefore, it has issued notices to the state Chief Secretary and the Head of the State Migrant Workers Control Room (MWCR), calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks.

According to the media report, carried on 3rd February 2026, one of the stranded labourers informed over telephone that the company deducted most of their salary to recover the amount incurred initially to purchase their air tickets from India to Dubai. Reportedly, the company is charging for their accommodation and even the workers do not have money to purchase food for themselves.

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