Brief Context
In News The External Affairs Ministry has sought comments and suggestions on the draft Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2025. About The proposed Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2025 envisages comprehensive emigration management, institutes regulatory mechanisms by developing a regime for safe and orderly migration governing overseas employment of Indian nationals. It also establishes a framework which creates policies and schemes for incentivizing policy acti
Source Content
Syllabus: GS2/ Governance
In News
- The External Affairs Ministry has sought comments and suggestions on the draft Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2025.
About
- The proposed Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2025 envisages comprehensive emigration management, institutes regulatory mechanisms by developing a regime for safe and orderly migration governing overseas employment of Indian nationals.
- It also establishes a framework which creates policies and schemes for incentivizing policy actions for protection and promotion of welfare of emigrants.
- It will replace the existing Emigration Act, 1983.
Salient Features of the Bill
- Establishment of Overseas Mobility and Welfare Council: To be constituted as the apex body for emigration governance, headed by the Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs as ex-officio Chairperson.
- The council will exercise powers, oversee implementation, and ensure coordination between multiple ministries and stakeholders.
- Balanced Approach: Encourages mobility opportunities abroad while safeguarding vulnerable emigrant categories (especially low-skilled workers in GCC and Southeast Asia). It will emphasize ethical recruitment and fair labour practices.
- Mobility Resource Centres (MRCs): To be established across India to provide information, resources, counselling, and pre-departure training to potential emigrants.
- Aim to enhance awareness, skill alignment, and preparedness of workers before going abroad.
- Data-Driven Policy Management: Focuses on creating a National Emigrant Database to monitor recruitment trends, grievances, and welfare outcomes.
- Accreditation and Regulation of Overseas Placement Agencies: All placement agencies to be accredited by the Competent Authority.
- Penalties and Enforcement: Strict penalties for violations for Overseas Placement Agencies contravening orders of the Competent Authority, fines not less than ₹5 lakh per violation.
Source: PIB