CDS study moots reforms in overseas recruitment

THIRUVANATHAPURAM, Oct 25: THE Centre for Development Studies (CDS) has recommended setting up of an Indian Migration Management Authority (IMMA) by doing away with the existing system for overseas recruitment process.

The study, conducted by the CDS into the existing practices in overseas recruitment, pointed out that the existing system of granting emigration clearance involved massive irregularities and also did not ensure protection of emigrants. The study suggested that emigrants, who leave the country for employment be issued Indian Citizen Employed Overseas (ICEO) smart card containing basic information regarding the emigrant.

"The belief that somebody who emigrates with proper documents will be safe and protected during their expatriate life has not been proved correct. The exercise of ensuring genuineness through documentary evidence is undermined not only by the absence of mechanism to check the veracity of documents but also by the nexus between corrupt recruiting agencies and government officials," says the study, which was funded by the Overseas Indian Affairs Ministry and International Labour Organisation. The study was conducted by S Irudaya Rajan, V J Varghese and M S Jayakumar of the CDS. The findings of the study may form part of the new Emigration Act being drafted by the Centre, said sources.

Throwing light on the massive irregularities in the existing emigration system, the study says that the unholy nexus between the recruiting agents and offices of the Protectors of Emigrants had resulted in the exploitation of emigrants, especially those belong to the weaker sections of society. Based on the feedback from recruiting agents and emigrants, the study points out that bribes ranging from Rs 300 to Rs 5,000 is involved in granting emigration clearance.
The agents also collude with officials of the airport emigration wing for illegal transit of migrants who do not have proper documents, which is popularly known as 'pushing'. Certain 'ghost' companies which exist abroad only on paper issue the 'documents' to pave way for illegal migration, the study says.

"The credibility of the overseas recruitment system in the country as a whole is at stake. The institutional failure, which is the cause of this, cannot be rectified by cosmetic changes but calls for a comprehensive reform," says the study.

The proposed IMMA should administer all aspects of migration through flawless coordination among various departments and agencies concerned and should have presence in foreign countries also. The responsibility of issuing ICEO smart cards should be vested with the IMMA. All documents from foreign countries should be channelised through IMMA and should also be made available online through bilateral talks, the CDS study suggested.