(a) whether cases of atrocities committed on Indians working as labourers in certain foreign countries
have been reported;
(b) if so, the details thereof for the last three years and the current year, year-wise and country-wise;
(c) the reaction of the Government thereto;
(d) the steps taken by the Indian Missions in these countries to check such cases;
(e) whether any talks were held by the Government of India with the concerned countries in this regard;and
(f) if so, the outcome thereof?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS (SHRI VAYALAR RAVI)
(a) to (f): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
Statement referred to in reply to the Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 58 on 28.7.2010
by Shri Ijyaraj Singh and Shri Anjan Kumar M Yadav related to Atrocities on Indian Workers
As reported by Indian missions, they have not come across incidents of atrocities particularly targeting
Indian workers. However, cases of complaints from Indian Workers related to fraudulent offers for overseas
employment, contractual violations and cheating on the part of foreign employers/ recruiting agents are
received from time to time.
Whenever, a complaint is received, action is initiated by the Ministry for suspension or cancellation of the
Registration Certificate of the Recruiting Agent. If required, he is also prosecuted through the State Police.
Complaints filed against illegal agents are referred to the State Governments. When there is a complaint
against a foreign employer, proceedings for black listing such employer are initiated. Indian missions also
take up these issues with the foreign employers/local governments to protect the welfare of the workers.
The Government has taken several initiatives to protect the welfare of Overseas Indian Workers which include:
(i) The Ministry has notified the Emigration (Amendment) Rules 2009 on 9th July, 2009 revising the eligibility
criteria of Recruiting Agents (RAs) and enhancing the validity period of the Registration Certificate and
increasing the security amount and service charges.
(ii) A National Awareness-cum-Publicity Campaign has been launched to create wider awareness among the general
public and particularly among the potential migrants on the risks of illegal migration and safeguards against
illegal practices by unauthorized intermediaries and fraudulent recruiting agencies.
iii) The Ministry has set up the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) in 42 Countries for providing onsite
support and financial assistance to Indian workers in distress.
(iv) An Overseas Workers Resource Centre (OWRC) runs as a 24X7 helpline in 7 languages which protects
interests of Overseas Workers as well as prospective emigrants.
(v) India had signed Labour Agreements with Jordan and Qatar in 1980s to protect the interest of the Indian
Workers. Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) were signed with United Arab Emirates (UAE) in December, 2006,
with Kuwait in April, 2007, with Oman in November 2008, with Malaysia in January 2009, and with Bahrain
in June 2009. An Additional Protocol to the existing Labour Agreement between India and Qatar was signed
in November, 2007.
These MOUs enhance bilateral co-operation in management of migration and protection of labour welfare.Under
these MOUs a Joint Working Group (JWG) has been constituted that meets regularly in order to resolve bilateral
labour issues.