Indians working overseas set to benefit from new measures

Posted on August 5th, 2007 by helloindia

NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs is planning a slew of measures for the benefit of its nationals working as household workers in foreign countries, including a minimum fixed wage that would have to be paid to them by their employers.

Foreign employers would soon have to register a copy of the work contract with the Indian mission in that country, official sources said adding the mission will verify the details before attesting the contract and sending it to the employee in India.

“We want to make emigration rules stricter, especially in the case of women,” they said adding the process to amend the Emigration Act was in an advanced stage. The norms will apply to workers hired as ayahs, butlers, cooks and drivers, they said.

The ministry has also proposed to start a monitoring mechanism to ensure proper implementation of these measures.

Concerned over the exploitation of Indian women workers in certain countries, the ministry is also establishing shelters for distressed women migrants and offer legal services to ensure effective access to justice. [Read more]