Lok Sabha Question No. 1906 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-02
Subject: Rescue of Indian Workers in Italy
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri V K Sreekandan, Prof. Sougata Ray

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 1906

## ANSWERED ON- 02/08/2024

## RESCUE OF INDIAN WORKERS IN ITALY

## 1906. SHRI V K SREEKANDAN

## PROF. SOUGATA RAY

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

(a) Whether the Italian Police rescued 33 Indian farm labourers from the Northern  Verona   province   from   slavery   and   took   the   two   abusers   in custody, if so, the details thereof including diplomatic measures taken up with the Italian Government in this regard;

(b) Whether still a large number of fake visa rackets are operating in the country recruiting vulnerable poor people by offering good job and other perks abroad, if so, the details thereof;

(c)   The   details   of   steps   taken   so   far   to   curb   such   types   of   illegal recruitments by fake agencies;

(d) Whether the Government is aware that large number of students were recruited to various foreign countries in the name of education visa; and (e) If so, the details thereof and measures taken to control such types of

- illegal recruitment in future?

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

## (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a) The Indian Embassy in Rome and Consulate in Milan are in contact with the local Police of Legnano (Verona) on the action taken against the two perpetrators  in   the   matter   of   33   Indians   rescued   by   the   Italian authorities on July 5, 2024.  As per information shared by the local police, the two perpetrators were arrested/ detained for two days, their personal belongings were seized and the matter is under investigation as per the Italian judicial procedure.

Indian Embassy in Rome and Consulate in Milan are working to ensure the safety and well-being of the Indian workers in Italy. The affected Indian nationals   have   been   provided   with   shelter/accommodation,   guidance about job prospects and Italian residence permit. The matter has been taken up with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy seeking information and necessary action against the perpetrators.

(b to e) Some cases have come to the notice of the Ministry of illegal agents luring vulnerable people by offering good jobs and other perks abroad including in the name of education visa. Ministry comes to know about fraudulent activities of fake visa / illegal recruitment agents in the country based on the complaints filed by aggrieved migrants or their friends/relatives, who have been cheated by such agents including in the

name of education visa. Based on such information, quick and decisive action   is   taken   by   the   Ministry   and   concerned   Indian   Missions/Posts abroad.   The   complaint   is   referred   to   the   respective   State   police   for investigation and prosecution.

Ministry has issued Standard Operating Procedure to be followed by State Governments on receipt of complaints against such fake agencies. The Ministry   has   also   been   coordinating   with   concerned   stakeholders including   State   governments   and   law   enforcement   agencies   to disseminate information about the benefits of safe and legal channels and overseas employment opportunities.

The process of emigration of Indian workers having Emigration Clearance Required (ECR) category passports, is regulated under the Emigration Act, 1983, which is administered by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) through Overseas Employment (OE) and Protector General of Emigrants (PGE) Division. As per the Emigration Act 1983, no persons/agencies can function as recruiting agent without a valid certificate issued by the registering authority.

Visual   and   print   media   campaigns   are   launched   from   time   to   time, encouraging   emigrants   to   utilize   the   services   of   the   registered Recruitment Agents and not to go through illegal/fake agents. These messages are also being uploaded and disseminated through social media profile   of   the   Ministry   and   Missions/Post   abroad   and   other   means   for

greater   outreach.   The   States   are   encouraged   to   initiate   awareness campaigns disseminating activities in their respective jurisdictions. Information   about   the   legal   and   illegal   agents   is   also   uploaded   and updated on regular basis on the e-Migrate Portal. Till June 2024, a total of 3,042 illegal agents have been notified on the portal.

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