Archive · 4 Sep 2026
Punjab youths stranded in Timor-Leste after Australia job promises
Thirty-four young people from Punjab went abroad because they were promised jobs in Australia.
Instead, they were taken to Timor-Leste.
Some had to do construction work, and others said they were left without jobs.
They say they paid large amounts of money to agents.
Many are now staying together and do not have enough money for food or travel home.
Some families in Punjab are sending money to help them eat.
Two youths have already returned to India, but one said he had to pay a fine after overstaying.
The youths and their families are asking the Indian and Punjab governments for help.
Thirty-four Punjab residents stranded in Timor-Leste have sought help returning to India.
They allege agents promised Australian jobs paying about Rs 70,000 monthly but took them to Timor-Leste instead.
Some youths said they were made to do construction labour, while others reported having no promised work.
Victims said they paid agents and sub-agents between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 11 lakh each.
Families and two returnees approached MP Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal, who said he would contact the Ministry of External Affairs.
- Who
- Thirty-four Punjab residents, their families, two returnees, MP Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal, and the agents they accuse of arranging the travel.
- What
- The youths are seeking government help to return from Timor-Leste after alleging they were deceived by promises of Australian jobs.
- When
- The families and two returned youths approached Seechewal’s office on Friday; the youths had travelled there roughly two to four months earlier, according to accounts in the report.
- Where
- The youths are in Timor-Leste, while their families and representatives sought help in Punjab, India.
- Why
- They allege agents promised Australian employment but instead took them to Timor-Leste, where some lacked work, money, food, and funds for their return.
Victims’ allegations
Official migration guidance
Nature of the recruitment
Victims’ allegations
The youths and their families allege that agents and sub-agents promised Australian jobs but took them to Timor-Leste, where some received construction work or no promised employment.
Official migration guidance
The Indian Embassy in Dili warns that legitimate overseas employment requires a formal contract specifying the job and salary, along with an appropriate employment or work visa.
Responsibility for the crisis
Victims’ allegations
The youths say they paid large sums to a Bathinda-based agent and sub-agents, and that some passports were confiscated or additional money was demanded when they tried to leave.
Official migration guidance
The embassy warns that unregistered recruiters, fake job offers, illegal recruitment, and overcharging can expose workers to fraud and difficult living conditions.
Immediate solution
Victims’ allegations
The stranded youths and families are asking the Indian and Punjab governments and Seechewal to arrange their return because they lack money for food and travel.
Official migration guidance
Seechewal urged people not to trust unscrupulous travel agents and said he would raise the issue with the Ministry of External Affairs.
- People stranded
- Around 34 Punjab youths
- Promised destination
- Australia
- Actual destination
- Timor-Leste
- Promised salary
- Approximately Rs 70,000 per month
- Payments reported
- Rs 5 lakh to Rs 11 lakh per person in the SOS; individual accounts cited payments of about Rs 4.5 lakh to Rs 9 lakh
- Returnee’s fine
- Rajpreet Singh said he paid a $3,500 fine for overstaying after travelling on a three-week tourist visa
- Government response
- Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal said he would take up the matter with the Ministry of External Affairs