The Ministry of External Affairs will entertain suggestions and comments on the draft Emigration Bill, 2019 that has given an opportunity for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to air their views till Sunday. These can be e-mailed to dsoia1@mea.gov.in and so2oia1@mea.gov.in.
Official sources said the new Bill would ensure the overall welfare and protection of emigrants and it included a proposal to constitute Emigration Management Authority (EMA). Previously, the Emigration Act, 1983 was enacted in a specific context of large scale emigration of Indian workers to the Gulf region.
One of the proposals is to make mandatory the registration of all categories of Indian nationals proceeding for overseas employment as well as students pursuing higher studies abroad. Previously, the Ministry had issued an order on off-loading non-Emigration Check Required status passport holders flying to 18 countries who had not made pre-departure online registration.
Now the new Bill focuses on making registration on a digital platform so as to keep emigration a swift, efficient and hassle-fee process. Certainly, this would be beneficial to the workforce and students pursuing higher studies abroad. However, necessary provisions have been incorporated to exempt certain categories.
Another salient feature of the proposed Bill is the mandatory registration of recruitment agencies and student enrolment agencies. Sub-agents have also been brought under the ambit of proposed Bill.
The Bill has comprehensive provisions, including insurance, pre-departure orientation, skill upgradation, legal assistance, migrant resource centres, help desks, migration and mobility partnerships, labour and manpower cooperation agreements, MoUs aimed at strengthening welfare and protection of Indian workforce abroad.
It also takes into account the increasing incidents of human trafficking, illegal recruitment, illicit trafficking of drugs, harbouring offenders under the garb of recruitment and those offering emigration services without due process. Besides, it proposes to provide for stringent punishment for offences against women and children.
The Emigration Management Authority will have nodal authorities in all States and Union Territories that will be chaired at Principal Secretary-level and will have representation from Home, NRI, Labour and Skill Departments.