MEA working on new law for Indians working abroad: Parliamentary Committee report

New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is “seriously considering” enacting a new law tentatively titled ‘Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2024’ that will replace the “outdated provisions” of the Emigration Act 1983, the Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs stated in its fourth report that was presented to Lok Sabha on Monday.

“Keeping in view the contemporary global migration dynamics and the needs of Indian citizens, the Committee has over the years underscored the pressing need for a comprehensive legislative overhaul to replace the outdated provisions of the Emigration Act 1983. After much delay, the Ministry is seriously considering enacting a new law tentatively titled ‘Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2024′”, the report by the Committee, which is chaired by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, mentions.

It adds: “The Ministry has further informed the Committee that the proposed draft is under consultation with line Ministries and will, thereafter, be put up for public consultations. The Committee desire that it should be consulted on the salient features of the Bill and the enactment of a revised act reflecting changed global migration realities should be done in a time bound manner i.e. not later than one year”.

Replying to a question in Lok Sabha on November 11 last year on the issue of compensation for Indian migrant workers, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh had said that there are around 15 million Indian nationals abroad including unskilled workers, skilled workers and professionals.