LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.425
TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.12.2018
† 425. SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR:
Will the Minister of External Affairs be pleased to state:
(a) whether Indian workers are being sent to foreign countries through overseas manpower agencies recognized by the Government;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the number of workers imprisoned in foreign jails along with the number of workers who died during the current year so far; and
(d) the steps taken by the Government for the general amnesty of illegally detained Indians in foreign countries?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]
(a) & (b) Yes, There are about 1300 Government recognized overseas manpower recruiting agencies in the country, which are authorized to recruit Indians for overseas employment.
(c) A statement showing the number of workers imprisoned in foreign jails along with the number of workers who have died, as informed by the Missions, is at
Annexure.
(d) Governments in the Gulf countries, where a large number of blue collared overseas workers are employed declare amnesty from time to time for those detained in jails for violation of local laws. Indian Embassy/Mission extends full support to all those stranded/jailed
Indian nationals who are eligible to avail of the Amnesty offers. All possible assistance including through the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) and community volunteers, are provided to them. In addition, our Missions, whenever informed about any Indian
national detained in local jail, immediately take up the matter with the concerned local authorities for his/her release. Wherever necessary, legal assistance is arranged for the Indian nationals and, on case to case basis, fines are also paid by the Indian
Mission from the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) to secure their release from jails. In cases where the released Indian emigrant is not in a position to arrange return ticket to India, the same is also arranged by the Indian Missions from ICWF. The safety,
security and well-being of Indians abroad is among the top priorities for the Government of India.
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