The Hindu : National : “Steps to protect women workers going abroad”

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“Steps to protect women workers going abroad”

Special Correspondent

Over 81,000 Indians deported from Gulf this year
Pre-departure orientation planned for emigrant workers

NEW DELHI: The government had taken several measures to protect women workers going abroad, especially to the Middle East, Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs, Vayalar Ravi told the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

He said it was decided not to give emigration clearance certificates to women below 30 years if they were seeking job as housemaids .

Mr. Ravi said it had been made mandatory that the work contracts of women household service workers should be duly attested by Indian missions before giving emigration clearance.

Other measures include counselling, round-the-clock helpline service to housemaids and organising quarterly open house meetings to hear their concerns.

The Indian missions in the Gulf were asked to notify a minimum wage for women household service workers.

Mr. Ravi said the Ministry would launch a pre-departure skill upgrading programme for emigrant workers.

Over 81,000 Indians were deported from Gulf countries this year on various grounds, including non-possession of valid visas, resident permits and violation of local laws.

The highest number of those deported was from the UAE, followed by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

The UAE either deported or issued emergency certificates to 40,088 workers, while Saudi Arabia took action against 28,904 illegal migrants and Kuwait against 8,234.

Other Middle-East countries that had deported Indian workers are: Qatar (2,050), Bahrain (1,481) and Oman (1,086).

Over 6,76,000 Indian workers, majority of them from Kerala and Tamil Nadu, had flown to the Gulf countries last year in search of jobs.

Out of the 6,76,912 Indians who went to various Middle-East countries, 6,51,893 were skilled workers.

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