Question : ILLEGAL RECRUITMENT AGENCIES

(a) whether the Government has a proposal to send Indian Officers abroad to study the working condition of Indian migrant labourers;

(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the expenditure likely to be incurred thereon;

(c) whether migrant labourers are ill treated in foreign countries;

(d) if so, the effective steps being taken by the Government in this regard;

(e) whether the Government has a proposal to set up Human Resource Development Export Council;

(f) if so, the details and the anticipated time frame for the same;

(g) whether a number of complaints regarding illegal recruitment agencies have been received by the Government;

(h) if so, the details thereof including the number of complaints during each of the last three years and till date; and

(i) the corrective measures taken/proposed to be taken in this regard?

MINISTER OF OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS ( SHRI JAGDISH TYTLER)

(a) to (i): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

Statement referred to in reply to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 192 b S Sbri A.V. BeUarmin & Pralhad Joshi due for reply on 16.03.2005 regarding illegal recruitment agencies

(a) to (d): The working conditions of Indian migrant labourers overseas have been under continuous study. They would be reviewed further at a conference of welfare officers and ambassadors in the Gulf Region being convened shortly. Government is aware of ill treatment of migrant labourers in many cases. The steps taken and under consideration include:

1.	Interventions in individual cases by through our Embassies and local community organisations;

2.	Signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the concerned countries to enable	Government authorities on both sides to intervene in cases of extreme hardship; and

3.	Suggestion to provide legal aid to migrant workers.