NEW DELHI: The Union
government has prepared a new
Emigration Bill to replace the Emigration Act of 1983 to safeguard the interests of Indians working abroad or seeking employment overseas and in keeping with the changing global realities of migration.
Apart from proposing stringent punishment for aggravated forms of offences against women and children, the government plans to set up new authorities at both the
Central and state levels.
The Centre will constitute an Emigration Management Authority to ensure the overall welfare and protection of emigrants. The
EMA will be led by a secretary-level officer from the Ministry of External Affairs and will include officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Human Resource Development. It will have representation from the states and recruitment professionals.