New emigration law to replace extant 1983 Act

New emigration law to replace extant 1983 Act

Part of: GS Prelims and GS – II – Policies and Interventions; International relations

In news Ministry of External Affairs shall table the proposed Emigration Bill, 2021 in Parliament in the current monsoon session.

• The proposed legislation that will replace the extant Emigration Act of 1983 will be crucial for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), especially those from Kerala as the provisions cover labour migration and exploitation, remittances, student mobility and human trafficking.

What are the features of the Draft Bill?

• It seeks to provide a regulatory mechanism to govern overseas employment of Indian nationals, and protect and promote the welfare of Indian emigrants.  
• It defines emigrants as Indian citizens who seek to or have departed out of India for employment.

• Authorities: The draft Bill seeks to create two authorities: (i) the Bureau of Emigration Policy and Planning (BEPP), and (ii) the Bureau of Emigration Administration (BEA).  
  • The functions of BEPP will consist of preparing policies on matters related to welfare of emigrants; negotiating labour and social security agreements with destination countries.   
  • The functions of BEA will consist of maintaining a database of Indian emigrants, and implementing measures and programmes for welfare of emigrants.   
• Nodal committees in states and union territories (UTs): Their functions include: (i) initiating action to prosecute entities involved in trafficking of persons, and (ii) undertaking pre-departure orientation programmes and skill upgradation programmes for prospective emigrants.
• Human resources agencies: These are agencies engaged in recruitment for an employer.  These agencies must be registered by a competent authority.  The certificate of registration will be valid for five years and may be cancelled on various grounds. Appeal against decisions of the competent authority with regard to registration of these agencies will lie with the central government
• Accreditation of employers: Any employer who intends to recruit an emigrant must apply for accreditation with the competent authority.  Such accreditation will be valid for a period of five years. 

News Source: TH