A disturbing pattern has yet again come to the fore in the Kashmir valley as a rising number of young men, drawn by the hope of better employment abroad, find themselves trapped in a cycle of exploitation in the Gulf countries. Promised respectable jobs with good salaries, many of them now toil in degrading conditions, often without pay or meagre salaries, and with no way to return home. Their stories, shared in media reports, paint a bleak picture of deception, isolation and emotional collapse. These men are not simply victims of misfortune—they are casualties of an unchecked racket. Local agents, operating from within Kashmir, have been charging substantial amounts with the assurance of lucrative jobs. Once payments are made, however, the promises quickly unravel. Upon reaching transit hubs like Mumbai, many are coerced into signing contracts that mention drastically lower salaries and completely different job roles. By the time they arrive in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations, the trap is already set. With meagre salaries, inadequate living conditions and backbreaking hours of labour—often up to fifteen hours a day—the situation becomes unbearable. The despair is compounded by the restrictive nature of the contracts. Many workers are bound for two years, unable to return even if they are unpaid or ill-treated. The emotional toll is visible in the recorded voices and faces of those begging to be brought home. Some, already on the edge, speak of self-harm and suicide. Their families, who often borrowed heavily or sold off assets to pay agent fees, now face financial ruin in addition to emotional grief. The problem, however, is not just the existence of fraudulent agents. It lies in the absence of accessible information, legal protections and oversight mechanisms for those seeking work abroad. These young men are desperate for opportunities, but there is little by way of official support or verified job placement systems. In the absence of credible pathways, they are easy prey for exploiters who operate in the shadows. Tackling this issue requires a layered response. Authorities must move beyond reactive measures. First, there is a need for a publicly accessible, government-endorsed job placement system that verifies both recruiters and foreign employers. Secondly, local police and cybercrime units must investigate and dismantle the networks of fraudulent travel agents. Third, the administration should set up regional helplines and legal aid cells for families of those trapped abroad, so they can get accurate information, assistance in contacting embassies, and updates on their relatives’ status. Community-level awareness is essential too. Educational institutions, mosques and community centers must host sessions regularly, incorporating real testimonies from returnees who can narrate the reality in their own words. Those who have returned should be supported with rehabilitation—through counseling, skill development and access to alternative employment. International cooperation must also play a role. The J&K government and Ministry of External Affairs should engage with the Gulf countries not just to facilitate the return of those already stranded, but to create a monitoring system to ensure labour rights are respected.
Gulf Trap
