Problem due to weak immigration laws

The Ministry has no specific report of large number of incidents of emigrant Indian labourers trapped in several countries as being the victims of fraud by the employers. 

 

However, there are reports of workers facing contractual problems, wherein, those emigrating through the unscrupulous unregistered agents on both sides bypassing all the legal emigration procedures with irregular visa or without any employment contract are more vulnerable. 

 

Whenever this Ministry or Indian Missions receive information of problems faced by Indian workers, the Indian Mission initiates action to resolve the issue by getting in touch with the foreign employer/local authorities and emigrant worker concerned and visiting Indian labour camps, if required, and actively pursuing until their logical conclusion. If necessary, the Indian Mission repatriates the Indian emigrant worker in consultation with the local government authority and the employer. If required, the Indian Mission issue Emergency Certificates for repatriation of the emigrant worker. The Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) has provision for providing air-ticket at Government cost for the repatriation. 

 

Government is working on Emigration Management Bill. The Bill is at the stage of inter-ministerial consultation. 

 

This information was given by Minister of State Overseas Indian Affairs and External Affairs General Retd. V.K. Singh in Rajya Sabha today. 

 

YSK/ Uma