Lok Sabha Question No. 1733 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-26
Subject: Pravasi Kaushal Vikas Yojana
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: KUNWAR SARVESH  KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1733 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2017

## PRAVASI KAUSHAL VIKAS YOJANA

## †1733. SHRI KUNWAR SARVESH KUMAR

## Will  the  Minister  of  SKILL  DEVELOPMENT  AND  ENTREPRENEURSHIP  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  launched  Pravasi  Kaushal  Vikas  Yojana  to  help  the Indians aspiring for jobs in foreign countries and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  migrating  Indian  labourers  particularly  those  who  are  sent  to  the  Gulf countries through agents are subjected to exploitation because of the lack of requisite skills;
- (c) if so, whether most of the Indian citizens migrating to Gulf countries are not properly equipped with the customs, language and culture of those countries or are not well versed with the required skills for getting jobs; and
- (d) if so, the steps taken by the Government to mitigate the problems of Indian Citizens?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY)

- (a) Yes. The Government has launched the Pravasi Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PKVY) a skill development scheme of the Ministry of External Affairs that aims at enhancing the skills set of  potential  emigrant  workers  in  select  sectors  and  job  roles,  in  line  with  international standards, to facilitate overseas employment opportunities, but not for placement assistance.  The  Scheme  is  part  of  the  Government's  effort  towards  strengthening  the eco-system that supports migrant workers in all stages of migration cycle and to ensure that Indian workers should migrate safely with an enhanced skill sets. Our message is loud and clear:  "Surakshit  Jaaye,  Prasikshit  Jaaye".  Upskilling  of  migrant  workers  offers  them  a distinct advantage.  It assists the worker in moving high up in the wage chain. Secondly, a well-informed worker is in better position to safeguard his/her rights.

The scheme includes a technical top up training component as well as module on enhancing soft skills for the participants through Pre-Departure Orientation Training (PDoT). Towards this end,  a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship on 2nd July 2016 for implementation of the scheme.

- (b) An  overwhelming  majority  of  Indian  emigrant  workers  leaving  for  ECR  countries primarily go to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries namely Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates and Malaysia.

There are reports of harassment of the migrant workers by unscrupulous agents and employers  in  the  Gulf  countries.  The  Government  has  taken  additional  measures  to safeguard  the  interests  of  Indian  workers  migrating  to  ECR  countries.  As  per  extant guidelines,  the  minimum  age  of  ECR  category  female  workers  proceeding  for  overseas employment to ECR countries is 30 years. In case of Foreign Employer, attestation of work contract  by  the  Indian  Mission  in  the  destination  country  and  submission  of  a  bank guarantee  of  US $  2500  is  mandatory  before  the  emigration  clearance  is  granted  by  the Office of Protector of Emigrants.

(c) A majority of Indian migrant workers are generally not well versed with the customs, language and culture of those countries and the required skills. These are also  the most vulnerable  segment  of  Indian  Diaspora  and  they  face  considerable  difficulties  in  the destination countries.

(d) The  Government  of  India  has  taken  many  steps  in  this  regard.  Pre-departure Orientation  Training  (PDoT)  and  Skills  Upgradation  through  the  Pravasi  Kaushal  Vikas Yojana (PKVY) are the major steps in this direction. The orientation is extremely useful to sensitize  the  prospective  emigrants  about  the  overseas  employment,  customs,  language, culture,  living  conditions,  their  rights  and  responsibilities  in  the  destination  country.    In addition, these are supported by institutional mechanisms like State Consultation Meetings and Bilateral Agreements with Foreign Governments on labour and manpower cooperation issues.

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