Over 13,000 complaints were received from Indians employed abroad over non-payment of wages and cheating, the External Affairs Ministry said on Wednesday.

Out of 102 countries, the highest number of complaints -- 3,844 -- were received from Indians working in Saudi Arabia, it said.

Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan shared the data in a written response to a query in Lok Sabha.

According to the data, 13,665 complaints were received in 2019 (till October 31), he said.

As many as 17,379 complaints were received in 2018, 18,482 in 2017 and 15,826 in 2016, he added.

"On receipt of complaints from or on behalf of the emigrants, the same are addressed urgently by the Indian Missions by suitably taking up the issues with the concerned local government authorities for resolution," Muraleedharan said.

"Complaints pertaining to employment-related issues are also taken up by the Indian Missions directly with the concerned foreign employer, wherever possible, for prompt redressal," he said.