RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-3917
ANSWERED ON- 06/04/2023
EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FOR INDIAN WORKERS LIVING ABROAD
3917. # SHRI NEERAJ DANGI
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-
(a) whether the Government maintains the details of Indian citizens working abroad;
(b) if so, details of such citizens during the last two years, country-wise ;
(c) whether Government maintains the details of agents and institutions which undertake the responsibility of providing jobs to Indian citizens abroad; and
(d) whether any initiative has been launched by the Government for emergency assistance to Indian workers living abroad, if so, the details thereof and if not, reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN)
(a & b) Country-wise number of Indians living abroad during past two years (including workers) based on availavble inputs is enclosed as Annexure I 
.
(c) As per provisions of the Emigration Act 1983, no person can function as Recruiting Agent (RA) without having a valid Recruitment Certificate issued by the Protector General of Emigrants (PGE). As on date, over 1900 Recruiting Agents and over two lakh Foreign Employers(FE) are registered on the eMigrate platform.
(d) Complaints regarding violation of contractual terms, adverse working conditions, wage related issues, employer related problems and compensation and death claims are received from Indian emigrants in ECR countries from time to time. The same are immediately referred to the concern Indian Missions/Posts abroad for taking up with the FE/ host Government.
The Government has established a robust institutional framework to ensure the welfare, safety and well-being of Indian migrants living overseas. The e-Migrate system, MADAD portal, Indian Community Welfare Fund, Pravasi Bhartiya Beema Yojana, Pravasi Bhartiya Sahayata Kendras, Pravasi Bhartiya Sahayata Kendras Helplines at Indian Missions and Posts, open house programs organized by the Missions and Posts, Shelter Homes etc. are some of the important mechanisms to expeditiously assist Indian migrants abroad. In addition, the Government has signed Labour, Employment and Corporation agreements with major destination countries including the Gulf countries and holds Joint Working Groups meetings to ensure redressal of grievances and protection of rights of Indian workers.
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