Ministry of External Affairs Plans New Law to Protect 1.5 Crore Indians Working Abroad
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has informed a Parliamentary Standing Committee that it is working on a new law to safeguard the rights of over 1.5 crore Indians employed overseas.
The Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs, chaired by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, presented its report to the House on Monday. The report mentioned that the MEA is drafting the Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2024, which is currently under consultation with other ministries before being opened for public feedback.
The committee emphasized that the new law should align with evolving global migration trends and be enacted within a year. It is set to replace the existing Emigration Act of 1983, aiming to facilitate smoother and safer migration for Indian workers seeking employment abroad.
The proposed framework will promote safe, orderly, and regulated migration, ensuring better welfare measures for Indian expatriates. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh previously informed the Lok Sabha that around 15 million Indians, including unskilled workers, skilled professionals, and others, are employed overseas.
Currently, the Emigration Act, 1983 governs the overseas employment of Indian workers, requiring recruiting agents to register with the Protector General of Emigrants. India has also signed multiple Labour Manpower Agreements (LMA) with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Jordan to streamline the migration process.
The new law is expected to provide a comprehensive, modernized legal framework that better protects Indian workers and enhances their mobility opportunities worldwide.
