Question : Migration to OECD

(a) whether as per the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Outlook 2018, the number of Indians migrating to rich countries belonging to the OECD has doubled since the turn of the century;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons for the same, OECD country­ Wise;

(e) whether the Government has noticed any decline in migration to OECD and other countries by Indian nationals during each of the last three years and the current year and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons for the same;

(d) the progress so far achieved by India Centre For Migration and its role in curbing migration or facilitating in migration of Indians; and

(e) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to stop brain-drain from India?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

(a) The Government is aware of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) International Migration Outlook 2018 wherein it can be inferred that inflows of Indian nationals to OECD countries have more than doubled during the 2000-2016 period.

(b) & (c) As India is not a member of OECD, the government is not in a position to comment on the report further. At its end, the Government maintains the data in respect of Emigration Check Required (ECR) passport holders proceeding for overseas employment to ECR countries only. The numbers, year-wise, in this respect from January, 2015 till date are as follows: 7,84,152 (2015), 5,20,938 (2016), 3,91,024 (2017) and 172,320 (till end July, 2018). At the same time, a significant number of Indian passport holders of ECNR category also migrate to various countries around the world.

(d) The India Centre for Migration (ICM) serves as a research think-tank of the Ministry of External Affairs on all matters related to International Migration. The broad areas of ICM''s activities include research, capacity building and assisting the Ministry on matters relating to international migration. Since its establishment, ICM has also collaborated with other organizations such as the European Commission (EC), International Organization for Migration (IOM), UN Women and International Labour Organization (ILO).

Presently, ICM has also been closely involved with Ministry''s outreach efforts in partnership with State governments for generating awareness on issues related to safe and legal migration, skilling and pre-departure orientation programmes.

ICM has also brought out comprehensive Training Modules on Pre-Departure Orientation (PDO) and handbooks for migrant workers leaving for Gulf countries. ICM in collaboration with IOM has also conducted workshops in Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh to generate awareness on safe and legal migration and training of Master Trainers and State Government Officials on Pre Departure Orientation.

(e) The Government is taking all possible steps towards creating an enabling framework to harness its demographic dividend. Ongoing economic reforms, various initiatives and flagship programmes viz Swachh Bharat Mission, National Mission for Clean Ganga, Make in India, Digital India, Skill India, Stand up India undertaken by the Government and sustained high rate of economic growth in India are providing an enabling environment to our youth.
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