New Immigration Management Bill soon, says Muraleedharan
Andalib Akhter / New Delhi
The Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan today asserted that the government would take strong action against those agencies which send Indian workers abroad on false promises and exploit them.
He said that even modern technology was being increasingly used to lure people for illegal activities, on account of which even well-educated persons are increasingly falling prey to it.
He said that there was an urgent need to identify and prosecute such agencies for their illegal activities.
Speaking at the 3rd Annual Conference of Protectors of Emigrants here today, he expressed concern over the plight of immigrants falling prey to the unethical tactics of unauthorized agencies. Despite the measures taken in the past six years to safeguard interests of workers going for overseas employment, we continue to receive complaints of cheating, illegal migration and activities relating to misuse of technology, he added.
He said that the government would bring in the New Emigration Management Bill soon to establish a comprehensive Emigration Management system and to institute regulatory mechanisms governing overseas employment of Indian nationals, apart from promoting their Welfare. The Minister observed that the proposed bill would pave the way for a safer immigration environment.
Pointing out that India has been providing highly skilled and semi-skilled workers to the notified countries for overseas employment for a very long time, the Minister said that ensuring their safety, welfare and safeguarding the interests of the Indian immigrants was a priority to the government.
Opining that Safe and Legal immigration of Indians abroad, especially to the Gulf Region was important to government. Muraleedharan said that focused efforts are being made to ensure the lives of Indians across the globe safeguarded. During his address, he also outlined the government’s plan to provide necessary skilling to immigrants based on their job demands.
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The minister said that recruitment of female domestic workers from India to any ECR country is restricted only through State Government recruiting agencies as there used to be numerous complaints in the past on exploitation of such category of workers and sending them through illegal means. However, cases of our workers going through illegal means have continued even after adoption of this policy.
There has been a demand from Recruiting Agents Associations and Federations to allow registered RAs also to recruit female domestic workers for ECR countries. Certain Gulf States have offered to provide government guarantees. The issue has been engaging our attention for some time.
The Minister for External Affairs, S Jaishankar delivered the key note address. Sanjay Bhattacharyya, Secretary (CPV & OIA) were present at the meeting. Other officials joined via video conferencing.