New draft law on India’s e-migrate registration

dubai — India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has proposed to introduce an e-migration bill 2019 which will make registration mandatory among Indian citizens going abroad for work and higher education, as per a notice on the MEA website

The 51-page draft presented on the MEA website says the “Bill aims to ensure the welfare and protection of emigrants and proposes mandatory registration of all categories of Indian nationals proceeding for overseas employment as well as students pursuing higher studies abroad”.

The ministry has also invited comments and suggestions on various aspects of the draft bill and it said that the e-Migration Bill 2019 will replace the existing Emigration Act, 1983.

In case the law is established, the government may, by notification, establish a Bureau of Emigration Administration (BEA) for implementation of the provisions of this act and to ensure the welfare and protection of the emigrants.

The duties of the BEA have been defined as follows: “Maintain a digitized record of Indian nationals going for overseas employment and returnees, students emigrating in pursuit of academic interest, blacklisted foreign employment agencies, fraudulent recruitment agencies, etc, and establish a shared database among concerned stakeholders in the government to maintain a comprehensive approach towards emigration.”

In a bid to prevent exploitation, human trafficking, illegal recruitment and illicit trafficking of drugs, the draft law also states clear regulations and penalties for recruitment agencies.

Roop Sidhu, general secretary of the Indian Association in Ajman, said: “There is no clarity on how and when the draft law would become an act. However, it is a good move overall as long as the process is simplified and there is accreditation of employees.”