Govt to guard foreign-bound workers

With the number of cases of Indian workers troubled by employers abroad increasing,the govt is promising a lasting solution.

The movement of every person who exits the country would be regulated soon,thanks to a proposed bill that seeks to transform the emigration process into a simple and hassle-free exercise.

The inter-ministerial consultations on the Emigration Management Bill,2010,which would replace the existing Emigration Act,1983,is over and the Bill will soon be sent to the Cabinet for its approval,a government official said today.

The draft Bill was sent to various ministries including Law Ministry and Home Ministry for their comments.

8220;We expect the Cabinet to give its approval by the end of June,after which the Bill would be tabled in Parliament,8221; G Gurucharan,Joint Secretary,Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs said at a Workshop on Prevention of Irregular Migration.

He said the new legislation would provide a state-of-the art model to regulate all those who leave the country whether he is a skilled worker,unskilled or even professionals.

Secretary,Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs,A Didar Singh stressed on the need for bilateral and regional agreements between countries to streamline the emigration process.

Story continues below this ad

8220;An international agreement in this regard is far off and so it is necessary that bilateral and regional agreements between countries be signed. It should handle both regular and irregular emigration,8221; he said.

Singh said India has already signed an agreement with Denmark and negotiations for a similar pact with Belgium,Netherlands and France are in advance stages.

Gurucharan said under the new law,an Emigration Management Authority EMA is proposed to be created replacing the existing Protector General of Emigrants and EMA will create a user-friendly online system to ensure hassle-free emigration.

The legislation also seeks to tighten noose against those unscrupulous agents who often dupe people seeking to go abroad.

Story continues below this ad

As per the new bill,all the recruiting agencies will be regulated and registration of agencies made mandatory based on specific criteria.

Gurucharan said India has set up 8216;Indian Workers Resource Centre8217; in Gulf countries to help workers from the country,especially those in unorganised sector.

8220;The centres will provide legal,health and financial counselling for the Indian workers in Gulf countries,8221; he said.

The government is planning to make it mandatory for foreign employers from certain countries to register in India under the new Law.