MEA issues advisory against fraudulent overseas recruitment schemes

New Delhi, Oct 13: In response to an increasing number of cases where Indian nationals have been deceived by fraudulent overseas employment schemes, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued an advisory titled “Brief on Safe and Legal Migration.”

The ministry urges job seekers to exercise caution and only engage with accredited recruitment agencies registered with the government. A regularly updated list of these accredited agencies is available on the MEA’s eMigrate portal (https://emigrate.gov.in) for public access.

Key Agencies and Regulations

The MEA’s Overseas Employment and Protector General of Emigrants (OE & PGE) Division manages the emigration process under the Emigration Act of 1983. This act applies to Indian citizens holding Emigration Clearance Required (ECR) category passports, who often migrate for employment to 18 designated countries, including Gulf states, Malaysia, and Afghanistan. Most of these migrants are semi-skilled or low-skilled workers, often on temporary contracts.

To prevent exploitation, recruiting agents must obtain a Registration Certificate (RC) from the Protector General of Emigrants (PGE) before they are allowed to engage in recruitment for overseas jobs. Indian citizens can view the List of Accredited Recruiting Agents on the eMigrate portal, ensuring they only work with registered agencies.

Emigration Offices in Key Cities

The Protector General of Emigrants (PGE) enforces the Emigration Act with the help of 16 regional offices called Protector of Emigrants (PoE) offices. These are located in major cities across India, including in Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Cochin, Thiruvananthapuram, Jaipur, Raebareli, Patna, Bengaluru, Guwahati, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar and Agartala.

These offices process emigration clearance requests and ensure that workers travelling to ECR countries do so through safe and legal means. Indian nationals with ECR passports are required to obtain Emigration Clearance (EC) through these offices, while those with Emigration Clearance Not Required (ECNR) passports are exempt from this process.

eMigrate Portal: Ensuring Safe Migration

The eMigrate portal (https://emigrate.gov.in), launched in 2014, facilitates a secure and transparent recruitment process for Indian workers heading abroad. The portal allows users to:

Verify Registered Recruitment Agencies: Job seekers can search for and verify the credentials of recruitment agents and foreign employers through the portal.

Apply for Emigration Clearance: ECR passport holders can apply for emigration clearance directly on the platform.

Track Applications: Workers can track the status of their applications and ensure their process is progressing smoothly.

This fully digitised system connects recruiting agents, foreign employers, and government offices, reducing the chances of fraud and malpractices in overseas employment.

Support for Migrant Workers: Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendra (PBSK)

The Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendra (PBSK), formerly known as the Overseas Workers Resource Centre, provides information, grievance redressal, and assistance to Indian migrant workers and their families. Workers can seek help through several channels, including:

24/7 Toll-Free Helpline: 1800 11 3090

WhatsApp Support: 91 74283 21144

Email Assistance: helpline@mea.gov.in

Twitter Handle: @helplinePBSK

Additionally, five regional centres known as Kshetriya Pravasi Sahayata Kendras (KPSKs) have been set up in Lucknow, Hyderabad, Chennai, Patna, and Kochi to assist workers in person.

Summary of Accredited Recruitment Agencies and Emigration Offices

For job seekers and Indian workers looking to migrate for employment, the MEA provides access to an updated list of accredited recruitment agencies on the eMigrate portal. These agencies have been certified by the Protector General of Emigrants (PGE) and are authorised to facilitate safe and legal overseas employment.

To check the list of approved recruiters or apply for emigration clearance, users can visit the eMigrate portal (https://emigrate.gov.in). This platform also provides access to information on various Protector of Emigrants (PoE) offices across 16 cities, helping ensure safe migration for Indian citizens heading abroad for work.