New Delhi, Feb 26 (IANS): A total of 53,616 women have been granted emigration clearance to work as domestic workers in the Middle East in the last three years, the government said Wednesday.

The clearances were given by the ministry of overseas Indian affairs.

On receiving complaints from women workers, Indian missions abroad are immediately taking up the matter with the employers and getting the same resolved amicably, a ministry statement said.

The complaints pertain to ill-treatment by employers or non-payment or delayed payment or underpayment of wages and other related grievances.

In absence of an amicable solution, the matter is taken up with the concerned local authorities. Legal assistance and counselling, if required, is also provided, it said.

In major Gulf countries, shelter homes are being run by the Indian missions to offer free boarding and lodging to distressed Indian women workers. They are also being given medical assistance.

Free air tickets are being provided to facilitate the workers' return to India. Travel expenses from the nearest airport to their respective place of residence are also being provided.

In case they have no travel documents, the workers are being given emergency certificates. Immigration clearances are also being obtained from the authorities concerned for their hassle-free travel to India, it said.