PTI
 
New Delhi, Jan 30: Problems being faced by Indians working abroad will receive special attention, minister for overseas Indian affairs Vayalar Ravi said listing his priorities as he took charge of the ministry in New Delhi on Monday.

Ravi, whose assumption of charge as cabinet minister is expected to lend high profile to the year-old ministry, said he would also make efforts to bring "further improvement" in the functioning of Indian missions abroad in relation to workers.

"Indians working abroad do face problems. There are persisting problems. My first priority will be to look after their interests and protect them," he told reporters.

Observing that about 25 million Indians were currently working abroad, he said the problems are particularly faced by Indian workers in Gulf countries.

The minister said addressing the issue would include sensitising the missions with regard to problems of Indian workers.

"Although the complaints [about attitude of the missions with regard to immigrant workers] have come down, there is a need for further improvement in their functioning," he said.

Emphasising that his ministry would be working with the external affairs ministry, he said he would make efforts to ensure change in labour laws in the countries where Indians are working.

Ravi, a senior Congress leader from Kerala, is the first cabinet-rank minister to head the overseas Indian affairs ministry created last year. So far, a minister of state was handling it.