Lok Sabha Question No. 3466 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Migration to OECD
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH, BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO, T. RADHAKRISHNAN, SUDHEER GUPTA, GAJANAN CHANDRAKANT KIRTIKAR, ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN, VIJAY KUMAR S.R., S. RAJENDRAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3466 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2018

## MIGRATION TO OECD

## 3466. SHRI KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH:

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR

SHRI ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN:

SHRI S.R. VIJAYAKUMAR:

SHRI S. RAJENDRAN:

Will the Minister of EXTENAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether as per the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development   (OECD)   Outlook   2018,   the   number   of   Indians migrating to rich countries belonging to the OECD has doubled since the turn of the century;
- (b) if   so,   the   details   thereof   and   the   reasons   for   the   same,   OECD country Wise;
- (e) whether the Government has noticed any decline in migration to OECD and other countries by Indian nationals during each of the last three years and the current year and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons for the same;
- (d) the progress so far achieved by India Centre For Migration and its role in curbing migration or facilitating in migration of Indians; and
- (e) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to stop brain-drain from India?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## [GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

- (a) The Government is aware of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) International Migration Outlook 2018 wherein it can be inferred that inflows of Indian nationals to OECD countries have more than doubled during the 2000-2016 period.
- (b) & (c) As India is not a member of OECD, the government is not in a position to comment on the report further. At its end, the Government maintains the data in respect of Emigration Check Required (ECR) passport holders proceeding for overseas employment to ECR countries only. The numbers, year-wise, in this respect from January, 2015 till date are as follows: 7,84,152 (2015), 5,20,938 (2016), 3,91,024 (2017) and 172,320 (till   end   July,   2018).   At   the   same   time,   a   significant   number   of   Indian

passport   holders   of   ECNR   category   also   migrate   to   various   countries around the world. (d) The India Centre for Migration (ICM) serves as a research think-tank of the Ministry of External Affairs on all matters related to International Migration. The broad areas of ICM's activities include research, capacity building and assisting the Ministry on matters relating to international migration. Since its establishment, ICM has also collaborated with other organizations   such   as   the   European   Commission   (EC),   International Organization for  Migration   (IOM),   UN   Women   and   International   Labour Organization (ILO). Presently,   ICM   has   also   been   closely   involved   with   Ministry's outreach efforts in partnership with State governments for generating awareness on issues related to safe and legal migration, skilling and predeparture orientation programmes. ICM has also brought out comprehensive Training Modules on PreDeparture Orientation (PDO) and handbooks for migrant workers leaving for   Gulf   countries.   ICM   in   collaboration   with   IOM   has   also   conducted workshops in Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh to generate awareness on safe and legal migration and training   of   Master   T rainers   and   State   Government   Officials   on   Pre Departure Orientation. (e) The Government is taking all possible steps towards creating an enabling   framework   to   harness   its   demographic   dividend.   Ongoing economic reforms, various initiatives and flagship programmes viz Swachh Bharat Mission, National Mission for Clean Ganga, Make in India, Digital India,   Skill   India,   Stand   up   India   undertaken   by   the   Government   and sustained high rate of economic growth in India are providing an enabling environment to our youth.

*****