New Delhi, July 28 The number of Indians in the Gulf is estimated to be about four million.

Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha Wednesday.

Saying the exact number is not available, the minister said a large number of Indian workers were in the unorganised sector and thus were not covered by labour laws in the Gulf.

In Kuwait, 48 percent of the Indians were working in the unorganised sector. This was 43 percent in Saudi Arabia.

The minister also said that according to information received from Indian missions in the Gulf, there were 1,116 Indian prisoners in Saudi Arabia, 825 in the United Arab Emirates, 111 in Kuwait, 86 in Bahrain and 32 in Qatar.

With a view to ascertaining the possibility of their release at the earliest opportunity, the officials in Indian missions visit the jails periodically or when required to ensure consular access to the arrested Indians, Ravi said.

The missions also take up their cases with local authorities. Besides, the Indian missions send requests for royal pardon for release of Indian prisoners on humanitarian grounds during the holy month of Ramadan.

In reply to another question, the minister said India's protector general of emigrants has periodically been making efforts to create awareness among potential emigrants about their rights and duties through publication of an information handbook on emigration, pamphlets and advertisements.

The ministry of overseas Indian affairs is also taking measures to create awareness on divorce of couples of Indian origin abroad. These include publishing a guidance booklet on marriages with overseas Indians and publicity through print and electronic media.