Lok Sabha Question No. 942 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-26
Subject: Skill India Workers in Abroad
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: Ravneet Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 942 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2021

## SKILL INDIA WORKERS IN ABROAD

## 942   SHRI RAVNEET SINGH BITTU:

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

- (a) whether it is a fact that the Government has identified job opportunities for skilled Indian workers abroad in the blue grey-collared categories.
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  number  and  details  of  countries  with  whom negotiations is underway in this regard;
- (c) the details of the meetings held with various countries and parameters, if any, mutually acceptable  to  the  Government  and  the  potential  foreign  partners  worked  out  for  creation  of these job opportunities.
- (d) whether the Government has fixed any time schedule for finalization of this programme for job opportunities for skilled Indian workers abroad; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTRREPRENEURSHIP (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

- (a) Yes, Sir. The Government through National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) had commissioned the Global Skill Gap Study in 2019 for mapping international job opportunities for skilled India workers in the blue and grey-collared categories.
- (b) The study highlights nations that would face workforce shortage in the foreseeable future and presents sectoral demand in top 15 countries until 2030 as below:
- I. In United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and Qatar shall be approximately 2.63 million across major sectors such as Construction (1.17 million), Wholesale  and  Retail  Trade  (0.42  million),  Real  Estate  and  Rental  and  Business Services (0.28 million).
- II. In  Germany,  Netherlands,  United  Kingdom,  Sweden  and  Switzerland  shall  be approximately 0.30 million across major sectors such as Health and Social Care (0.11 million), Manufacturing (0.05 million).
- III. In Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Canada 95 million across major sectors such as Health Care and Social Assistance (United States of America (USA), Japan and Malaysia shall be approximately 0.0.22 million), Construction (0.10 million).

A letter of intent is underway between the Ministry of Immigration, Quebec and MSDE to launch a Recruitment Mission to mobilize skilled Indian workers from India to Quebec in the sectors of Healthcare, retail and hospitality. The process has slowed down due to COVID-19.

(c) NSDC is working with the Ministry of Human Resource and Emiritization (MoHRE) and Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (ADQCC)  for benchmarking qualifications, assessment and certification. In October, 2018, benchmarking of 16 UAE skill qualifications to 13  Indian  skill  qualifications  in  construction  and  automotive  sectors  was  conducted  by  the technical teams of NSDC and ADQCC. In August, 2019, a pilot programme was initiated. 133 candidates were assessed on mutually recognized qualifications. 63 candidates were interviewed and selected by the UAE employer out of which 18 candidates were deployed in the UAE.

In  respect of KSA, in the first phase, 5 occupations were benchmarked between India and KSA. Pilot programme for 100 workers was conducted and Recognition of Prior Learning assessment has been undertaken, out of which 81 candidates have successfully cleared the assessment and were issued joint certification in February, 2020.

Under the Joint Working Group Mechanism, meetings with Japan, Germany, Australia and United Kingdom have been held.

(d)      No, Sir.

(e)    No  time  schedule  is  fixed  for  finalization  of  job  opportunities  for  skilled  Indian  workers abroad  as  this  is  a  continuous  activity.  All  international  initiatives  have  slowed  down  due  to COVID-19.

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