(a) whether the Government proposes to enact a new immigration law;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the time by which such bill is likely to be introduced; and
(c) the measures taken by the Government to deal with the unscrupulous agents who dupe those migrating to other countries?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS (SHRI VAYALAR RAVI)
(a) & (b) The Government proposes to enact a new Emigration Law. The proposed legislation is aimed at transforming
emigration into a simple, transparent, efficient, and humane economic process, facilitate legal migration, prevent
illegal migration and human smuggling, enable ethical recruitment practices, enhance the protection and welfare of
emigrants, and manage student mobility and matters connected therewith. The draft Bill is being finalized through
inter-ministerial consultations for obtaining Cabinet approval.
(c) The Government is implementing an e-governance project which will keep track of the recruitment for overseas employment
on real-time basis and prevent/ detect any malpractices by unscrupulous recruiting agents.
The Government has amended the Emigration Rules, 2009, w.e.f. 9th July, 2009, to increase the bank guarantee for recruiting
agents from Rs.10 lakh to Rs.20 lakh, the application fee from Rs.5000/- to Rs.25000/- and the maximum service charges to
be collected by the agents from Rs.10,000/- to an equivalent of 45 days wages subject to a maximum of Rs.20,000/-.
Besides, the recruiting agents as well as the foreign employers have been entrusted with additional
duties and responsibilities with an aim to enhance protection of emigrants from exploitation.
A rating system for the recruiting agents is also being developed for encouraging good recruitment practices.