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India will soon make a comprehensive amendment to emigration laws to protect its labour force abroad, especially in the Gulf region, from being exploited by unscrupulous recruiting agents.
"My ministry is currently working on the amendment and we hope we can present it to the national parliament soon for approval," Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi told Khaleej Times.
He said the government would enforce a mandatory scrutiny and attestation of all job offer letters with Indian missions abroad before they are sent to the job seekers.
The amendment will regulate more severe punishment and fines for fraudulent agents caught indulging in malpractices and cheating poor job seekers, he told the daily.
The minister also said he would visit the United Arab Emirates next month to have discussions with the Indian mission and social organisations.
"I am sure the UAE government will give us all the support we need to solve these kind of problems. Following discussions with the missions and social organisations, further steps will also be taken to stop recruiting agents and companies from mistreating our workforce," he said.
Responding to protests from Indian community against the sharp 30 per cent hike in airfares on the Gulf-India
He said he would discuss this issue with Minister of State for Civil Aviation Praful Patel.
"We will discuss the matter at the ministerial level and find a solution. I am sure the two ministries can work together to solve the issue," he told the daily.
"The high airfares is one of the main problems NRIs have been facing for long time. Unfortunately it has remained unsolved. I am concerned about this problem," Ravi said.
"I know that Indian expatriates, especially those in the low-income group, are struggling to make two ends meet in the Gulf under changing living conditions. The recent fare hike is an extra burden on their shoulders," the minister said.
"The recent hike in airfare by the Indian carriers in particular cannot be justified because of the upcoming school vacation when the demand for seats on the Gulf-India sector is at its peak," he said, pointing out that most families who could only travel around this time of the year will be adversely affected.
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