Question : DEMAND OF INDIAN NURSES

(a) whether there is huge demand for Indian nurses and house maids in other countries;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has taken any steps to improve their working conditions; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS (SHRI VAYALAR RAVI)

(a) & (b) There is demand for Indian workers of various skill levels including nurses and housemaids abroad. The main countries where Indian workers are in demand include the Gulf countries, Malaysia, Singapore and also some countries in Europe.

The recruitment of nurses with educational qualification above class 10, and also those emigrating to non-ECR countries, is not regulated under the Emigration Act, 1983. As such, no data is available in this regard with the Ministry.

(c) & (d) The policy of the Government is to encourage orderly and legal emigration of Indian workers including female workers, discourage illegal/ irregular migration and ensure the protection and welfare of emigrants. In pursuit of this policy, the Government is implementing emigration process reforms and is pursuing bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the management of migration.

Further, the Ministry has made concerted efforts to enter into bilateral Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with the major receiving Countries for ensuring protection and welfare of our emigrants. Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) were signed with United Arab of Emirates (UAE) in December, 2006, with Kuwait in April, 2007, with Oman in November 2008, with Malaysia in January 2009, and with Bahrain on 17th June 2009.

The Government has made it mandatory for the employment contract of every female worker emigrating on ECR passport to ECR country to be attested by the Indian Mission. The Government has also stipulated a minimum age of 30 years and a minimum wage for such workers. The employer directly hiring an Indian female domestic worker has to deposit a security of 2500 USD with the Indian mission. These policy measures have been taken to reinforce protection of women workers abroad.