No records of Indians emigrating illegally: Govt

New Delhi, Dec 13: Almost five lakh Indians have emigrated to Gulf countries on the basis of contracts signed between them and their employers but nearly four lakh others have landed in these countries on their own or via illegal routes, the government today told the Lok Sabha.

Responding to supplementaries by several members, Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi said that the government was pursuing signing of bilateral MoUs with the major countries for protection and welfare of Indian workers. ''India has already signed such MoUs with Belgium and some other countries,'' he added.

The MoUs would help regularising the emigration of Indian to foreign countries and provide them protection against any exploitation, he noted.

Mr Ravi admitted that many Indians, who land up in foreign lands on their own, tend to suffer on various counts. But the Indian missions abroad can only take up their matter if any breach of contract contract between the employer and the worker was brought to their notice. However, nothing could be done in the case of those who have not reached the host countries without such contract.

Referring to the proliferation of fake recruiting agencies for overseas employment for Indians, the Minister said they are being prosecuted but jurisdiction for such action fell under the purview of the various state governments.

In the case of registered recruitment agencies, the government has already suspended the licence of 29 agencies and cancelled the registeration of 18 others on finding them indulging in irregularities of various types.

UNI