Lok Sabha Question No. 693 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-26
Subject: Protocols for Indian Emigrants
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Thiru Dr. S Jagathratchakan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-693

ANSWERED ON- 26/07/2024

PROTOCOLS FOR INDIAN EMIGRANTS

693. SHRI S JAGATHRATCHAKAN

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

(a) whether the Government subscribes to the view that it must put more comprehensive protocols in place for Indian emigrants for their safety and security;

(b)   if   so,   the   details   of   the   initiatives   proposed   to   be   taken   by   the government in this regard; and

(c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a to c)  The Government accords highest priority to the safety, security and well-being of  Indians emigrants.   Our Missions and Posts abroad remain   vigilant   and   closely   monitor   and   actively   follow   up   any grievances and complaints of mistreatment of Indian emigrants with the

authorities concerned in foreign countries. The   Government   has   taken several steps to safeguard the interests of Indian emigrants, including the following: (i) To enable Indian Missions/ Posts look after their safety and security and provide them timely assistance, Indian nationals are encouraged to register   themselves   at   the   Indian   Missions   and   Posts   abroad.   Our Missions/Posts abroad can also be approached through various means of communication, including 24 x 7 Help Lines. (ii) The on-line MADAD portal enables all Indian nationals and their family members to register their consular grievances on-line and track their redressal. (iii)   Ministry   of   External   Affairs   launched   the   'Surakshit   Jayen Prashikshit Jayen' (Go Safe, Go Trained) campaign in 2018 to raise awareness among prospective emigrants. With this motto and to give further  impetus  on visibility   of   Ministry's   campaign   for   safe   &   legal migration, Hon'ble Prime Minister released a postal stamp dedicated to safe and legal migration of our workers on the occasion of 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on 9 January 2023. (iv) Ministry has taken several initiatives such as Pravasi Bhartiya Bima

Yojna   (PBBY)   and   Pre-Departure   Orientation   &   Training   (PDOT)   in ensuring that migrant workers undertake safe migration, have decent

working and living conditions in destination countries, are aware of their rights and have access to GoI welfare schemes. (v)   The   movement   of   Indian   workers   overseas   for   employment   is governed   by   the   Emigration   Act,   1983.   Since   2015,   the   process   of overseas employment is being processed through eMigrate portal, which is   a   faceless,   paperless   and   cashless   digital   platform   to   register Recruitment   Agencies,   Foreign   Employers   and   issue   of   Emigration Clearance (EC) to prospective overseas migrant workers. (vi) Further, the Pravasi Bhartiya Sahayata Kendras (PBSKs) provide a number of services to Indian emigrants by operating a 24x7 helpline; receiving,   registering   and   monitoring   grievance   petitions   of   Indian emigrants and providing necessary advice / resolution and clarification to information seeking queries; providing counselling sessions on legal, financial,   medical   and   psychological   matters;   conducting   awareness sessions on various issues they face, safety and security matters, health related talks by experts, various schemes of Government of India for the welfare of the Indian emigrants. *****