Question : INDIANS ABROAD

(a) whether the Government has conducted any study on migrant Indians and if so, the details of issues that needs immediate attention along with the follow up action taken in this regard;

(b) the estimated number of Indians living/working in various foreign countries along with the details, country-wise;

(c) whether the Government has undertaken any review to assess if the major schemes and programmes that are currently running to assist Indians abroad are actually benefitting them and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether in view of the huge demand for female domestic helps and nurses abroad, the Government has taken effective steps to promote migration of such persons and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the details of Indians who received funds from Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) during the last three years along with the details of agreements on social security/safety, etc. signed by the Government with various countries, country-wise?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS (GENERAL V.K. SINGH (RETD.))

(a) The India Centre for Migration, the research think tank of the Ministry has undertaken studies pertaining to migration in the India-EU corridor focusing on migration, mobility, ethnicity, diaspora identity, remittances to India from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and other aspects related to migration of Indians. Reports of ICM are providing useful inputs to this Ministry with regard to issues related to overseas employment and other aspects of migration of Indians.

(b) Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs had collected estimates of NRIs and PIOs from Indian Missions abroad in 2012. The details are as per Annexure.

The exercise of updating the data is ongoing.

(c) Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs reviews its schemes for the diaspora from time to time based upon feedback received from overseas Indians and others to ensure that these programmes benefit Indians abroad.

(d) This Ministry does not promote emigration, including by housemaids and nurses. This Ministry facilitates safe and legal migration. In addition to other safeguards provided for emigrants, special protection measures for women domestic sector migrants are:

# Women below 30 years are not permitted to obtain emigration clearance

# Minimum Referral Wages

# security of US $2500 to be deposited with Indian Mission

# Compulsory attestation of employment documents by the concerned Indian Missions.

# Shelter home for distressed emigrants by Indian Mission.

(e) The Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) was established in 2009 to meet contingency expenditure incurred by the Indian Missions and Posts abroad for carrying out various on-site welfare activities for Overseas Indian Citizens who are in distress. ICWF has enabled the following services for Indian nationals abroad:

a. Boarding & lodging for distressed Overseas Indian workers in household /domestic sectors & unskilled laborers–for a maximum of 30 days

b. Emergency medical care and initial legal help in deserving cases

c. Air passage to stranded overseas Indians

d. Airlifting of mortal remains to India or local cremation/burial of deceased Overseas Indians.

e. Penalties for illegal stay of overseas Indians in host country where worker is not at fault.

f. Small fines/penalties for release of overseas Indians in jail/detention center.

India signed Social Security Agreements (SSAs) with the following Countries:

a. Belgium

b. France

c. Germany (Social Insurance)

d. Switzerland

e. Luxembourg

f. The Netherlands

g. Hungary

h. Denmark

i. South Korea

j. Finland

k. Sweden

l. Czech Republic

m. Norway

n. German (Comprehensive SSA)

o. Canada

p. Japan

q. Austria

r. Portugal

s. Quebec (Province of Canada)

t. Australia