(a) whether the Indian immigrants are facing harassment in foreign countries,particularly in UK;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
(c) the measures taken/being taken to protect the interests of Indian immigrants?
(a) whether the Indian immigrants are facing harassment in foreign countries,particularly in UK;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
(c) the measures taken/being taken to protect the interests of Indian immigrants?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS (SHRI VAYALAR RAVI)
(a) to (c) Government have received some reports of harassment of Indian migrants in some countries. So far as United
Kingdom (U.K.) is concerned, reports from Indian Mission in U.K.suggest that there is no such information or harassment
of Indian migrants in U.K.
Instances of complaints of exploitation of Indian emigrant workers by Recruiting Agents (RA), Foreign Employers
(FE) and unscrupulous middlemen are received by the Ministry and the Indian Missions abroad from time to time.
These complaints mainly pertain to cheating, overcharging, contractual violations by employers such as non-payment
/delayed payment of salary, non-availability of medical facilities and proper food, unhygienic living conditions etc.
On receipt of such complaints and after due enquiry action is initiated against the RAs or unregistered agents concerned.
State Governments and Union Territory Administrations have been advised to instruct all Police Stations to keep a strict
vigil on the activities of unscrupulous agents.
Foreign Employers (FEs) who are found to be harassing the Indian Workers are placed in the Prior Approval Category.
At present, 355 FEs are in Prior Approval Category List.
Protecting emigrants against malpractices and exploitation requires bilateral cooperation. Memoranda of Understanding
(MoU) have been 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.