Chennai: Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi today said Indian workers in the Gulf would not be affected by the Dubai debt crisis.

In a brief chat with newspersons after calling on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi at the State Secretariat here, he described the crisis as "nothing new" and that it was only a temporary phenomenon.

There was no need for any panic about Indian workers coming back following the crisis, he said.

''The Dubai Government has informed other embassies. We are not worried. My information from various associations, Indian associations, Consulate and the Ambassador is there is nothing to worry...We are not expecting our people to come back'', he added.

''There is no need to panic regarding Indian workers'', he asserted. Mr Ravi said the Centre was contemplating a new Bill to provide stringent punishment to Travel Agents cheating gullible Indian workers, promising lucrative jobs in Gulf countries.

Asked about the widespread opposition to the Marine Fisheries (Regulation and Management) Bill, 2009, especially in Tamil Nadu as it would affect the livelihood of the fishermen, Mr Ravi said the issue would be discussed with Prime Minister after his return from abroad.