Why in the News?

• The Indian government is considering enacting a new law, tentatively titled ‘Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2024’, to establish an enabling framework which will promote “safe, orderly and regular migration for overseas employment”.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Background (Context, Need for a New Law, etc.)
• Key Features of the Proposed Bill (Significance, Impact, etc.)

Background:

• The Indian government is actively working on a new legislative framework to facilitate safe and legal overseas employment for its citizens.
• With the proposed Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2024, India aims to modernize migration policies by replacing the Emigration Act of 1983.
• The move comes at a crucial time, as the US administration under President Donald Trump 2.0 has begun deporting illegal Indian immigrants.
• The proposed bill seeks to ensure the protection of Indian workers abroad while promoting legal migration channels.

Need for the Overseas Mobility Bill 2024:

• Challenges with the Emigration Act of 1983
  • The current Emigration Act, 1983, is outdated and does not align with contemporary global migration trends.
  • The old law lacks provisions for structured overseas employment opportunities and the welfare of Indian emigrants.
  • Irregular migration routes expose Indian workers to exploitation and fraud.
• The Need for a New Framework
  • The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, chaired by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, highlighted the need for comprehensive migration reform.
  • The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is working on a legislative overhaul to ensure safe, orderly, and legal migration for employment abroad.
  • The bill will help combat fraudulent recruiting agencies, ensuring transparency in overseas job placements.

Key Features of the Proposed Bill:

• The Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2024 will introduce several reforms to safeguard Indian workers and enhance legal migration processes:
• Safe and Orderly Migration Framework
  • The bill aims to establish a structured system for facilitating overseas employment.
  • It will ensure that migration is transparent, legal, and free from exploitation.
• Public Consultation & Stakeholder Involvement
  • The Ministry of External Affairs is consulting various government ministries before finalizing the draft.
  • The public will have 15-30 days to provide feedback before the bill is finalized.
  • The bill will go through Inter-Ministerial Consultations before being presented to the Cabinet.
• Strengthening the Role of the Protector of Emigrants (PoE)
  • The Protector of Emigrants (PoE) will collaborate closely with Indian embassies and consulates.
  • PoE offices will ensure the welfare of Indian workers abroad, address grievances, and help resolve employment disputes.
• Awareness and Prevention Measures
  • Indian missions abroad will launch awareness campaigns to educate prospective migrants.
  • Advisory warnings will inform emigrants about safe migration practices and how to avoid fraudulent recruitment agencies.
• Grievance Redressal and Repatriation Support
  • The bill aims to strengthen grievance redressal mechanisms for Indian workers facing mistreatment abroad.
  • Legal assistance and repatriation support will be provided for migrants in distress.

Significance of the Bill in the Context of US Deportations:

• The US government’s recent decision to deport illegal Indian immigrants has heightened the urgency of migration reforms.
• Key Facts on Indian Migrants in the US:
  • 20,000 undocumented Indians are currently facing deportation under the Trump 2.0 administration.
  • The total undocumented Indian population in the US is around 725,000, making it the largest group outside of Latin America.
  • The first batch of deportees has already been sent back to India.
• Timeline and Next Steps
  • The MEA has assured that the bill’s draft will be finalized within a year.
  • The Parliamentary Committee has demanded an update within three months on the bill’s progress.
  • Once finalized, the bill will replace the Emigration Act of 1983, modernizing India’s migration policies.

Impact on Indian Migrants and the Economy:

• For Migrant Workers
  • Protection from exploitation by fraudulent recruiters.
  • Better support system through embassies and government agencies.
  • Legal pathways for overseas employment to ensure job security.
• For the Indian Economy
  • Legal migration will boost remittances, a significant contributor to India’s GDP.
  • India can strengthen its global labor force presence, especially in Gulf countries, the US, and Europe.
  • Reducing illegal migration will enhance India’s diplomatic relations with host countries.

Conclusion:

• The Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2024, marks a crucial step toward safe and legal migration for Indian workers.
• As the US tightens its immigration policies, India must ensure structured migration systems to prevent exploitation and enhance overseas employment opportunities.
• With public consultation and inter-ministerial reviews underway, the bill is expected to be enacted within a year, modernizing India’s migration policies and protecting Indian workers abroad.