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MEA to form new law for 1.5 cr Indians working abroad

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has told a Parliamentary Standing Committee that it is going to enact a new law to protect the rights of over 1.5 crore Indians working in foreign countries. The Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs,...
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The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has told a Parliamentary Standing Committee that it is going to enact a new law to protect the rights of over 1.5 crore Indians working in foreign countries.

The Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs, chaired by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, on Monday presented its report to the House. It cited the MEA saying, “The ministry is seriously considering enacting a new law tentatively titled ‘Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2024’.”

“The ministry has further informed the committee that the proposed draft is under consultation with (other) ministries and will, thereafter, be put up for public consultations,” the report said.

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The committee said the new law should reflect changed global migration realities and be done in a year.

The new law seeks to replace the Emigration Act of 1983 with a view to facilitate the circular mobility of people intending to emigrate for overseas employment.

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It aims to establish an enabling framework which will promote safe, orderly and regular migration for overseas employment.

Last year in August, Minister of State in the MEA Kirti Vardhan Singh, had told the Lok Sabha in a written reply, “There are around 15 million (1.5 crore) Indian nationals working abroad, including unskilled workers, skilled workers and professionals.”

The Emigration Act, 1983, provides the regulatory framework for emigration of Indian workers for contractual overseas employment and seeks to safeguard their interests and ensure their welfare. The Act makes it mandatory for registration of recruiting agents with the Protector General of Emigrants.

There are various categories of agreements that are being signed by India on migration and mobility. The first category is of the Labour Manpower Agreements (LMA). These agreements have been signed primarily with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Jordan to facilitate the entry and presence of Indian manpower in these economies.

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