Lok Sabha Question No. 905 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-29
Subject: Scheme for Indian Youths Working Abroad
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Rajeev Rai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 905

## ANSWERED ON- 29/11/2024

## SCHEME FOR INDIAN YOUTHS WORKING ABROAD

## †905.  SHRI RAJEEV RAI

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

- (a)   whether   the   number   of   youths   of   the   country   going   abroad   for employment is constantly increasing;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is also aware that many youths are being forced to do work other than the work contracted by them in foreign countries,   being   paid   less   than   the   fixed   salary   and   are   also   being harassed in various ways;
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the concrete steps taken by the Government to provide justice to such youths working abroad;
- (e) whether the Government is contemplating to implement any such scheme so that the youths of the country are not compelled to go abroad for employment;

(f) if so, the details thereof; and

(g) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a to g) Ministry maintains the data in respect of Indian workers, holding Emigration Check Required (ECR) passports, proceeding for overseas employment through e-Migrate portal to any of  the 18 notified ECR category countries. The data regarding migration of such Indian workers to these ECR countries during the last 5 years is as below:

| Year                       | Number of Emigration Clearance granted   |
|----------------------------|------------------------------------------|
| 2024 (till 19 th November) | 3,48,629                                 |
| 2023                       | 3,98,317                                 |
| 2022                       | 3,73,425                                 |
| 2021                       | 1,32,675                                 |
| 2020                       | 94,145                                   |

Government accords utmost priority to the safety, security and wellbeing of Indian nationals abroad and has robust mechanism to monitor working conditions and grievance redressal of Indian workers abroad.

Our  Missions/Posts abroad from time to time receive various types of complaints from the Indian nationals working abroad and these include delay in payment/non-payment of salaries, retention of passports, unfair working   conditions,   sub-standard   accommodation,   extended   working hours, ill-   treatment/harassment,  excessive work, denial of entry/exit permit/renewal of visa/final exit permit, non-payment of salary and not placing in the job promised etc.

Our Missions and Posts remain vigilant all the time and actively monitor the working conditions of Indians nationals abroad. The Government has established various channels to enable Indian nationals working abroad to reach out to the Mission/Post in case they need any assistance. They can   contact   the   Missions/Posts   through   walk-in   interview,   email, multilingual 24x7 emergency numbers, grievance redressal portals like MADAD, CPGAMS, and eMigrate, and social media etc. As and when such cases   are   reported,   the   Missions/Posts   take   prompt   action   in coordination with the employer/sponsor/agent and local authorities and extend all possible assistance to the aggrieved Indian worker. Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendras (PBSK) have been set up in Dubai (UAE), Riyadh, Jeddah (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) to provide guidance and counseling to Indian workers on all matters.

There   are   dedicated   Labour   Wings   in   all   Indian   Missions   in   Gulf Countries.

Indian   Missions/Posts   regularly   organize   Open   Houses   and   Consular Camps in remote areas for Indian nationals including workers residing in such   areas   to   render   consular   services   including   addressing   their grievances, if any. The complaints pertaining to employment issues are also   taken   up   with   the   local   labour   department   and   other   relevant authorities of the host country for prompt redressal. Based on MoUs signed with the GCC countries, matters related to welfare and protection of workers are also taken up during regular meetings of Joint Working Groups with concerned countries. In addition, such matters are also regularly taken up with respective host governments through diplomatic channels.

Government of India  is   focused   on   skill   development   among   Indian nationals including youth going abroad for employment purpose. One such   measure, Pravasi   Kaushal   Vikas   Yojana   (PKVY)   is   a   joint collaborative   partnership   between   MEA   and   the   Ministry   of   Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) which is aimed at enhancing the skill set of potential emigrant workers in line with international standards. The scheme comprises two components. The first one is technical   top-up   training,   involving   recognition   of   prior   learning,

assessment and certification,   to   be   provided   by   MSDE,   through   the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). The second one is a oneday training programme on soft skills, called Pre-Departure Orientation and Training (PDOT), to be imparted by MEA in collaboration with NSDC, State Governments and other stakeholders. *****