Watch: An animated video that follows the journey (and the misery) of a migrant worker in West Asia
The two-year-old video has gone viral because of reports about thousands of Indian being laid off and left stranded in the Gulf.
This animated video created by the International Labour Organisation two years ago has once again gone viral on the back of the recent news about a large number of Indian workers left stranded in west Asia after being laid off from their jobs due to falling oil prices. A government minister may be sent to Abu Dhabi to bring back close to 10,000 workers who are facing a "food crisis".
In a series of tweets, the Union Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj spoke about the situation.
I appeal to 30 lakhs Indians in Saudi Arabia. Please help your fellow brothers and sisters. /1
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 30, 2016
The number of Indian workers facing food crisis in Saudi Arabia is over Ten Thousand. It is not 800 as is being reported. @JagranNews
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 30, 2016
I assure you that no Indian worker rendered unemployed in Saudi Arabia will go without food. I am monitoring this on hourly basis.
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 30, 2016
The comparison between forced labour in Gulf countries and modern day slavery is one that has been made many times. A Vice documentary takes you behind the glitz and glamour of Dubai to meet the people who made some of the world's tallest skyscrapers.
There are concerns that this exploitation is only set to increase in the run-up to the 2022 Football World Cup in Qatar. Here's a report by Al Jazeera on migrant labour in the country.
