India (see also Bahrain, Kuwait, UAE, Malaysia)
Government to amend law to protect workers
The government is planning to amend the 1983 Emigration Act to make way for tougher measures that will protect Indian migrant workers from exploitation. In the next session of the Parliament, the act will be subjected to amendments, including one that will require recruitment agents to document all Indians who leave to work abroad. New measures proposed include jail terms of up to five years for agents exploiting migrant workers.
Labor agreement with Malaysia, Bahrain
India recently finalized a memorandum of understanding with Malaysia which will serve as the groundwork for measures that will protect Indian migrant workers. The two countries are working on the final requirements needed for the signing of the Labor and Manpower Development agreement, which will protect the welfare of Indian workers abroad, whether skilled, semi-skilled or unskilled. The agreement also aims to create a Joint Working Group that will coordinate both countries in discussing labor issues.
India and Bahrain also finalized an agreement on labor and manpower development, which will ensure protection for Indian workers in Bahrain. The MoU will be signed in June, according to an official from the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs.
Call to investigate Indian shipyard workers’ claims in the US
Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi said the government has acknowledged the protests of Indian shipyard workers last month and has asked the US to investigate the workers’ claims. The ministry already suspended the licenses of Dewan Consultants and S. Mansur and Company, two Indian recruiting agents involved in the incident. It also blacklisted the foreign employer.
Britain denies entry to 76 Indian visa applicants
About 76 Indians were denied entry into Britain two weeks after the UK enforced new immigration rules on 1 April. The new immigration rules prevent applicants who previously violated UK immigration laws to enter the country for a certain period. If an applicant, for example, submits false documents, he or she faces chances of being denied UK visas for 10 years. Immigration violations include working illegally in the UK, using fake documents and overstaying.
Irregular Bangladeshi immigrants a security threat?
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs has warned the government of the large numbers of unauthorized Bangladeshi migrants in the country that may endanger India’s internal security. The committee said there have been reports of terrorist groups recruiting Bangladeshis in India and certain Bangladeshi insurgent groups being linked to recent terrorist incidents. Counterfeit notes are also being circulated along the India-Bangladesh border and some Bangladeshi migrants have been able to secure ration cards, driving licenses and identity cards.
Campaign vs. North Indian migrants
The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) on 9 April sent letters to private industries ordering them to hire 80 percent of locals and replace the currently hired migrant workers with Marathi people. Letters were also sent to 45,000 industries telling them to prioritize Marathi people for job vacancies. The move is only part of the long-running campaign of the MNS against North Indian migrants. MNS Chief Coordinator Manoj Chavan has accused North Indian workers of stealing job opportunities from the Marathis. He is planning to file a Public Interest Litigation to the high court that seeks to reserve job vacancies in private industries for locals.
Sources: Shahid Raza Burney, “MNS Orders Industries to Recruit Only Locals,” Arab News, 10 April 2008; PTI, “India risks sanctions for not taking back illegal migrants,” The Daily Star, 12 April 2008; PTI, “76 Indians barred from entering Bahrain,” The Times of India, 17 April 2008; IANS, “India asks US for ‘detailed’ probe into workers’ plea,” Hindustan Times, 18 April 2008; Vinay Kumar, “‘Illegal immigrants a threat’,” The Hindu, 21 April 2008; PTI, “India, Malaysia to sign MoU on protecting Indian workers,” Hindustan Times, 24 April 2008; Nagendar Sharma, “Govt plans tough law to check workers exploitation overseas,” Hindustan Times, 25 April 2008; IANS, “India, Bahrain labour pact in June,” Khaleej Times, 27 April 2008