India to protect emigrant women

New Delhi, July 31 (UNI) India today said it would not allow emigration of women to those countries which do not commit themselves to their protection and welfare by signing bilateral agreement with it.

"This is among several measures being considered specifically for the protection of women workers, which constitute the most vulnerable section of emigrants," Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi told mediapersons here today.

Pointing out that the ban on emigration of female domestic workers below 30 years of age had been very effective in curbing human trafficking, he said this regulation would be made applicable to all women emigrants.

All women emigrants would also have to get compulsory attestation of employment documents by the Indian mission. This regulation is now compulsory only for the female domestic workers.

Mr Ravi said a minimum wage of 400 US dollars would be fixed and the foreign employer would have to deposit a security of 2500 US dollars. A compulsory skill certification and pre-departure orientation would be introduced.

He said his ministry had finalised a series of amendments to the Emigration Act of 1983 to provide for stringent punishment to errant travel agents and human traffickers.

The draft of the amendment bill was ready and it would soon be placed before the Union Cabinet.

"We are trying to introduce the bill in the forthcoming session of Parliament," Ravi said.

Mr Ravi said Overseas Workers Resource Centres, dedicated help lines and shelters for distressed women emigrants would be set up by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs with the help of Indian missions.

Legal services would be provided to the aggrieved workers to give them effective access to justice, he said.

UNI