MEA launches 'Safe and legal Migration' awareness campaign

Considering the precarious situation in which NRIs live, especially in Gulf countries, the Centre has launched a national media campaign on ‘Safe and legal Migration’ for overseas employment to aware the people.

The decision came taking in account the complaints Indian Missions in Gulf countries have been receiving from Indian workers like non-payment or delayed payment of wages, sudden closure of companies, ill-treatment, excessive working hours, filling false charges with police authorities, withholding of passports, dishonouring terms of the contract, exit visa, among others.

“The Union Ministry of External Affairs has sent a letter to the state government in this regard to aware the people through a national media campaign on ‘Safe and legal Migration’ for overseas employment mostly to the Gulf countries and Malaysia,” said an official spokesperson the Punjab Government on Sunday.

Spokesperson said that as per the letter sent by the MEA to deal with such issues, it has instituted ‘The Protectors of Emigrants (POEs)’ in various states and the Union Territories which is responsible for granting emigration clearance to the intending emigrants as per the procedure prescribed under the Emigration Act, 1983.

POEs inquire into the treatment received by emigrants during their voyage or journey to, and during the period of their residence in the country to which they emigrated and also during the return voyage or journey to India and who report thereon to the Protector General of Emigrants or such other authority as may be prescribed, said the spokesperson.