104 Indians deported | Working on law for safe migration: MEA to panel

On the committee’s specific query about the proposed Emigration Bill 2023, its current status and objectives, the report says, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has submitted that the proposed legislation on Emigration [Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2024] seeks to replace the Emigration Act of 1983 with a view to facilitate the circular mobility of people intending to emigrate for overseas employment.

People look at the U.S. military plane deporting Indian immigrants as it lands in Amritsar (REUTERS)

“It aims to establish an enabling framework which will promote safe, orderly and regular migration for overseas employment. The proposed draft is under consultation with line Ministries. After the internal consultations draft will be put up for public Consultation for 15/30 days thereafter it will be followed up by Inter Ministerial Consultations along with the Draft Cabinet Note on revised draft,” the report quotes the MEA as submitting.

Keeping in view the “contemporary global migration dynamics and the needs of Indian citizens”, it says that the committee has over the years underscored the pressing need for a comprehensive legislative overhaul to replace the outdated provisions of the Emigration Act 1983.

“After much delay, the Ministry is seriously considering enacting a new law tentatively titled ‘Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2024’. The Ministry has further informed the Committee that the proposed draft is under consultation with line Ministries and will, thereafter, be put up for public consultations. The Committee desires that it should be consulted on the salient features of the Bill and the enactment of a revised act reflecting changed global migration realities should be done in a time bound manner i.e. not later than one year,” the report says.

An update on the progress made in this regard may be submitted to the House panel within three months, it says.

The MEA has also told the parliamentary panel that the Protector of Emigrants collaborates closely with Indian embassies and consulates to support Indian emigrants in multiple ways, ensuring their welfare and wellbeing, grievances redressal, and addressing issues related to overseas employment, the report says.

The ministry said that Indian missions/consulates spread awareness amongst emigrants and issue advisories for prospective emigrants. These awareness activities such as advisories equip emigrants with information on safe migration practices, registered recruiting agents, valid foreign jobs, ways to avoid fraudulent recruiting agencies.

It said that they address grievances filed by emigrants on issues like mistreatment, contract discrepancies, and non-payment of wages by foreign employers or any cheating by registered recruiting agents.

Police personnel take deported immigrants for initial questioning after a US military aircraft carrying them landed at the Shri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport, in Amritsar, Wednesday. (PTI)

In cases of exploitation or distress, the embassies work for the rescue and repatriation of affected emigrants. It also assists the family members, relatives by informing them about the emigrant’s safe return and any required follow-up actions in India.

These collaborative efforts help in safe and legal mobility of Indian migrant workers, especially in countries where high migration is taking place and where Indian workers are more vulnerable to exploitation, the MEA has told the parliamentary panel.

The House panel report is especially relevant at a time when the Trump administration has identified about 20,000 Indian illegal immigrants as part of its mass deportation plan. Indians comprise about 725,000 illegal migrants — the biggest group outside of Central and Latin America.