Dr Mandaviya Chairs High-Level Meeting on Employment Data and Overseas Emigration Trends

The discussions centred around enhancing coordination and data assimilation for both overseas employment and domestic job creation.

Union Minister of Labour and Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, chaired a high-level meeting in New Delhi on October 7, 2024, addressing critical issues related to employment data and trends in overseas emigration. The meeting was attended by Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Sushri Shobha Karandlaje, alongside representatives from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and NITI Aayog.

The discussions centred around enhancing coordination and data assimilation for both overseas employment and domestic job creation. Dr. Mandaviya emphasized the importance of improving the monitoring of recruiting agencies and identifying skill requirements for employment abroad.

Comprehensive Data Mechanism:Dr. Mandaviya highlighted the necessity of establishing a robust mechanism to compile complete data on citizens traveling abroad for employment or education, particularly to Emigration Check Required (ECR) and Non-ECR countries.

Integration of Employment Portals:The Minister proposed the integration of various platforms, including the National Career Service (NCS) portal, MY Bharat Platform, MADAD, eMigrate, eShram, and state portals, to provide a comprehensive view of the supply and demand for employment opportunities.

Industry Associations’ Role:Dr. Mandaviya underscored the potential role of industry associations in gathering and collating employment data, suggesting that collaboration with these bodies can enhance the effectiveness of data collection efforts.

Standardization of Contracts:It was agreed that contracts with foreign employers should be standardized to ensure fair practices and protect the rights of Indian workers abroad. Additionally, the Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangements (MMPA) and Social Security Agreements (SSA) should be reviewed for feedback on their effectiveness.

Insights from NITI Aayog:NITI Aayog presented findings from various studies on employment portals in the country, emphasizing the necessity of a unified platform to integrate employment data across government schemes and sectors.

Government Commitment

The meeting underscored the Government's commitment to bridging existing data gaps, especially in the informal sector, and developing a comprehensive, multi-sector employment data portal. This initiative aims to drive policy-making and job creation efforts effectively.

Future Directions

The meeting concluded with a strong commitment to:

Strengthen coordination in employment data collection.

Expand overseas job opportunities for Indian citizens.

Enhance the security of Indian workers abroad.

The proposed Unified Employment Data Portal is expected to be a transformative tool for centralizing employment data, while the integration of eMigrate and NCS will facilitate broader access to international job markets. This comprehensive approach aims to ensure that Indian workers are well-supported and protected as they seek employment opportunities both domestically and abroad. 4o mini