Lok Sabha Question No. 4722 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: Protection of Non-ECR Passport Holders
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Dr. Shashi Tharoor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 4722

## ANSWERED ON- 28/03/2025

## PROTECTION OF NON-ECR PASSPORT HOLDERS

4722.  DR. SHASHI THAROOR

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

- (a) whether the Government has recent data on the migration pattern of Non-ECR (Emigration Check Required) passport holders;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether it is true that most Indian emigrants hold Non-ECR passports
- and thus their migration patterns remain undocumented;
- (d)  if so, the details thereof;
- (e)   whether   the   Government   is   taking   any   measures   to   regulate   and monitor   the   migration   patterns   of   non-ECR   passport   holders,   thereby
- ensuring their well-being; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) Data of all Indians travelling abroad is captured by the Bureau of

Immigration   at   exit   point.     Insofar   as   travel   to   18   Emigration   Check Required   (ECR)   countries   are   concerned,   a   record   is   kept   of   migrant workers.     No   separate   record   is   maintained   of   migrants   to   non-ECR

countries.   The   majority   of   travellers   exiting   India   do   so   on   non-ECR passports.  Establishing migration patterns for them is not feasible. The e-Migrate portal is the mechanism to record the travel of migrant workers to ECR nations. The e-Migrate portal is operational since its launch in year 2015 and provides for registration of Recruitment Agents (RAs), Foreign Employers (FEs) and issue of Emigration Clearance (EC) to prospective emigrants. It is a comprehensive online system developed to facilitate safe and legal migration of Indian workers to 18 ECR countries. The   initiative   was   conceptualized   to   make   the   emigration   process transparent and also to address various complaints. (e) and (f) The Government accords highest priority to the safety, security and   well-being   of   Indian   nationals   including   Indian   emigrant   workers abroad, whether of ECR or ECNR categories. In pursuance of this goal, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has entered into Migration and Mobility Partnerships   which   are   aimed   at   fostering   mobility,   expanding   work opportunities and promoting welfare of emigrant Indian nationals and have already been signed with France (2018), UK (2021), Germany (2022), Italy, Australia,   Austria   (2023)   and   Denmark   (2024).   Discussions   with   other countries on similar agreements are underway especially with those in Europe and the Far East. Agreements have also been signed with Israel and Mauritius for recruitment of Indian workers while ensuring their protection and   welfare.   The   agreements   also   provide   for   regular   and   structured consultative   mechanisms   for   discussing,   inter-alia,   issues   related   to welfare of Indian workers and professionals abroad. The Government has also entered into bilateral Social Security Agreements

(SSA)  with   other   countries   in   order   to   protect   the   interests   of   Indian

professionals / skilled workers working abroad for short durations. SSA provides exemption from making double social security contributions. As on date, India has signed and operationalized Social Security Agreements (SSAs)   with   19   countries   -   Australia,   Austria,   Belgium,   Canada,   Czech Republic, Denmark,   Finland,   France,   Germany,   Hungary,   Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, South Korea and Brazil. India has also signed Social Security Agreements with Argentina and Poland which are in the process of getting operationalized. India has also signed SSA with the Quebec Province of Canada. Additionally,   India   is   also   actively   participating   in   the   various international/regional/multilateral   fora   and   platforms   on   international migration   such   as   the   International   Migration   Review   Forum,   Colombo Process, Abu Dhabi Dialogue, Budapest Process, the International Dialogue on Migration, Global Compact for Migration regional reviews which involves sharing   of   best   practices   and   discussions   on   critical   areas   aimed   at facilitating safe and regular labour migration. Last year, India also assumed the chair of the Colombo Process. The Government of India is also committed to skilling and capacity building of   its   emigrants   workers.   In   this   context,   the   Government   has   been implementing   its   flagship   scheme   Pradhan   Mantri   Kaushal   Vikas Yojana(PMKVY) since 2015 to impart skill development training through Short-Term   Training   (STT)   and   upskilling   and   re-skilling   through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to youth across the country. Through PMKVY, individuals can avail themselves of placement opportunities, both domestic and overseas, based on their acquired skills and certifications.

Additionally,   the   Government   implements   the   Pre-departure   Orientation Training (PDOT) for aspiring emigrant workers to equip them with essential information   on   the   cultural,   legal   and   occupational   aspects   of   the destination countries. This training ensures that Indian workers are better prepared for their overseas employment, thereby promoting their safety, welfare and integration abroad. For   registering   and   redressal   of   grievances,   the   Government   has established various mechanisms. Indian emigrants workers can contact the   Missions/Posts   through   various   channels   like   walk-in,   email, multilingual   24x7   emergency   numbers,   grievance   redressal   portals   like MADAD, CPGRAMS, eMigrate, social media, toll free helplines, whatsapp numbers and Missions/Posts have also launched mobile Apps to enable Indian nationals contact respective Indian Missions/Posts when in distress or in emergency situation. Consular camps and Open Houses are also held by Indian Missions/Posts to reach out to the Indian nationals abroad who might need any assistance/guidance from the Government. Our Missions/Posts abroad also utilize the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) to provide the following services/assistance to the Indian diaspora in distress on a means tested basis: (i) Transportation of mortal remains to India or cremation with the consent of the family; (ii) Emergency medical care; (iii) Legal assistance; (iv) Boarding and lodging; and (v) Air passage for stranded Indians.

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