Lok Sabha Question No. 2733 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-10
Subject: Visa for Indians
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Ajay Bhatt

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2733

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.03.2021

## VISA FOR INDIANS

## † 2733. SHRI AJAY BHATT.

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether any steps are being taken by the Government to get visa for maximum number of Indians trained in Information Technology for European and other countries including America;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the number of people engaged in foreign countries in this sector at present;
- (d) the steps taken by the Government to protect Indian employees from exploitation in foreign countries; and
- (e) the specific steps taken by the Government to make aware the employees who are going abroad about their rights?

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

## [SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

(a)   &   (b)   The   Government   attaches   the   highest   priority   to   creating opportunities for Indian skilled workers to work abroad in European and other countries, including America. T owards this endeavour, Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement was signed with France in 2018 and such agreements are under negotiation with several European countries. Many European countries have shown interest in hiring highly-skilled workers from India. Whenever there are issues related to visa for Indian workers, the Government also raises these issues and our concerns at various bilateral forums, including consular dialogue.  However, issuance of visas to Indian nationals is the prerogative of the Government of host country.

(c) It is difficult to ascertain the number of persons engaged in the IT sector in foreign countries as such specific data is not available.

(d) & (e) The Government provides all required assistance, including legal   assistance,   if   a   complaint   of   exploitation   is   received.   Our Missions/Posts abroad liaise with host Governments and employers in case there is an issue relating to exploitation. Many host countries have a labour   policy/law   in   place,   aimed   at   attracting   skilled   migrants   and safeguarding their rights. India also has bilateral social security and labour migration   agreements   with   certain   countries,   aimed   at   safeguarding

interests of Indian nationals abroad. All Indian Missions/Posts abroad have established 24x7 helplines to assist Indians in distress, including women, and also conduct Open Houses on a regular basis where workers can speak on their working conditions and seek redressal of their grievances. Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendras have been setup at Riyadh, Jeddah, Dubai, and Kuala Lumpur that provide guidance and counselling on all matters pertaining to overseas Indian workers. The online MADAD portal enables the emigrant workers and their family members to register their consular grievances online and track their redressal.

Ministry constantly runs awareness campaigns through media and social media about safe and legal migration. Ministry also conducts PreDeparture Orientation Training (PDOT) programme for emigrants across the country through PDOT centres.

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