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The Minister of State (Independent charge) for Overseas Indian Affairs, Shri Jagdish Tytler told the Rajya Sabha today that during the years 2002,2003 and 2004, the number of complaints filed with the State Police Authorities against the illegal/un-registered recruiting agents were 47,27 and 34 respectively. Out of the 34 cases registered during 2004, 8 were in Maharashtra, 7 in Tamil Nadu, 6 in Kerala, 4 in West Bengal, 3 in Haryana, 2 each in Andhra Pradesh & Punjab and 1 each in Gujarat and Jammu & Kashmir.
The Minister further said that prosecution sanction was accorded in 40, 11 and 9 cases during 2002, 2003 and 2004 respectively. In order to assist the affected persons, the registered Recruiting Agents are directed to resolve the grievances of the aggrieved workers within a reasonable time-frame. If they fail to comply, action is taken to suspend/cancel their Registration Certificates. If the Recruiting Agents fail to compensate the complainants, the Bank Guarantee is invoked to compensate the affected persons and/or recover the cost of repatriation. If complaints are against unregistered Recruiting Agents, reports are lodged with the concerned State Police Authorities appropriately.
To check forgery and cheating, the Recruiting Agents are required to produce the Demand Letter, Power of Attorney and Specimen Employment Contract from the foreign employers in original to the Protectors of Emigrants before emigration clearance is granted. An Affidavit is also taken from the Recruiting Agents. In respect of vulnerable categories like unskilled workers and housemaids and for employment in certain sensitive countries, attestation of employment documents by the concerned Indian Mission is insisted upon, Shri Tytler added.
The Minister was replying to a question by Sh. Kamal Akhtar.
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