The details of the
assistance provided by the ministry to Overseas Indians is given below:
I.
Overseas Workers Resource Centre(OWRC)
The
Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs has launched an Overseas Workers Resources Centre(OWRC) to provide information and assistance to
intending emigrants as well as the family members of overseas workers relating
to all aspects of overseas employment. The OWRC operates a 24x7 toll-free helpline(1800113090) to provide need- based information to
emigrants and their families. With a
view to extending the services of supporting Indian emigrants, an international
toll-free line (8 000 911 913) has been established which is currently
available for calls from United Arab Emirates(UAE)
alone. Complaints or grievances received
on the toll-free helpline are promptly attended to and feedback is provided to
the complainant. The helpline numbers
are given out as part of the multimedia awareness campaign organised by the
Ministry.
The Ministry has also set up Migrant
Resource Centres(MRCs) at Kochi in Kerala and
Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh. The MRC
performs functions similar to that of the OWRC at the level. The Ministry regularly carries out multimedia
awareness campaign for educating emigrants about emigration procedures, the
pitfalls of illegal emigration and the precautions to be taken during
recruitment and overseas employment.
The scope
of work of the OWRC Helpline presently also provides for walk-in counselling, and
an interactive web-site, namely, www.owrc.in. w.e.f 31.12.2010. The
lodging of complaints can now be done through the OWRC web-site, email, or
telephonically. The centre has been
integrated with MRCs at Kochi and Hyderabad.
I.
Indian Workers Resource Centre(IWRC)
An
Indian Workers Resource Centre (IWRC) has been setup and is functioning at
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) . The IWRC at Dubai was inaugurated by the Hon’ble President of India on 23rd November,
2010. The centre aims to disseminate
information, register, respond and monitor complaints as well as provide for a
grievance redressal system and follow up with stake
holders. The centre is being managed by
the CGI, Dubai through an outsourced service provider. The centre has a 24x7 helpline, provides
grievance redressal and counseling
and also manages a shelter home for runaway housemaids and deserted housewives
etc.
II.
Indian Community Welfare Fund
For
safeguarding the welfare and protection of Indians abroad, especially Indian
workers, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs has set up the ‘Indian Community
Welfare Fund (ICWF)’ which was operationalised
in Indian Missions in all Countries with
effect from 24.03.2011. The fund aims to provide on-site emergency assistance
for Overseas Indian Citizens who are in distress, on a means tested basis. The welfare services provided by the ICWF
include boarding and lodging for distressed
household / domestic workers and unskilled labourers, emergency medical
care to overseas Indians in need, providing air passage to stranded overseas Indians in distress, providing
initial legal assistance to the overseas Indians in deserving cases and
incurring expenditure on incidentals and for airlifting the mortal remains to
India or local cremation/burial of the deceased overseas
Indians in cases where a sponsor is
unable or unwilling to do so as per the contract and the family is unable to
meet the cost.
IV. Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi
suraksha Yojana
The
Government has launched a scheme called the ‘Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi
Suraksha Yojana’ (MGPSY)
for Indian workers holding Emigration Check Required (ECR) passports and a
valid work permit in an ECR country.
This scheme encourages and enables Overseas Indian Workers to save for
their return and resettlement and to save for their old age by providing a
co-contribution from the Government.
This also provides a free Life Insurance Cover against natural death
during the period of coverage under this scheme.
This
information was given by the Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, Shri Vayalar Ravi in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
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PKM/DB