Parliament Question: Employment in foreign countries for youth under Government schemes

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4265 ANSWERED ON 01.04.2026 EMPLOYMENT IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES FOR YOUTH UNDER GOVERNMENT SCHEMES 4265 #SHRI NEERAJ DANGI: Will the Minister of SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased to state: (a) the number of youths who secured employment in foreign countries under Government schemes during the last three years; (b) the steps being taken by Government to ensure that youth working in foreign countries receive minimum wages, social security and labour rights; (c) whether Government plans to launch any new scheme to provide skill training to the youth in accordance with the demands from foreign countries, if so, the details thereof; and (d) whether any special scheme is proposed for the rehabilitation and re-employment of youth who have returned from foreign countries, if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY) (a) Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) maintains data in respect of Indian workers holding Emigration Check Required (ECR) passports proceeding for employment to notified ECR countries through the e- Migrate portal. The total number of workers who have been issued Emigration Clearance (EC) through the e-Migrate portal for employment abroad during the last three years is placed at Annexure-I. In addition, MSDE has facilitated the deployment of a total of 9,636 candidates to Israel, Japan and various countries under bilateral mechanisms through Skill India International Centre (SIIC). Deployments to Israel are under sector-specific protocols pursuant to the labour mobility framework agreement signed in 2023 and deployments to Japan are under the Technical Intern Training Programme (TITP) and Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) Programme. (b) The Government accords high priority to the welfare and protection of Indian workers abroad. Key measures include: • Fixation of Minimum Referral Wages (MRW) to prevent exploitation of workers in ECR countries. • Grant of Emigration Clearance by Protectors of Emigrants ensuring compliance with prescribed safeguards under the Emigration Act, 1983. • Accessible grievance redressal through Missions/Posts via multiple channels including MADAD and e- Migrate portals. • Establishment of Labour Wings and organization of Open Houses and Consular Camps for grievance resolution. • Operationalization of Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendras for guidance and counselling. • Safeguards for women workers, including recruitment only through State-run agencies and a minimum age requirement of 30 years. • Provision of financial and legal assistance through the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) in cases of distress.(c) No, new scheme is currently under consideration by MSDE. However, MSDE has established seven Skill India International Centres (SIICs) on a pilot basis to facilitate overseas employment by providing internationally aligned skill training, language training, and pre-departure orientation, including PDOT under Pravasi Kaushal Vikas Yojana. In addition, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Economic Forum on 16.01.2026 to unify efforts in this direction in line with global best practices. (d) There is no dedicated scheme exclusively for rehabilitation of returnee migrant workers is under consideration. However, such workers can avail benefits under existing skill development programmes, including the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), for re-skilling and up-skilling.Annexure I ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4265 ANSWERED ON 01.04.2026 REGARDING EMPLOYMENT IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES FOR YOUTH UNDER GOVERNMENT SCHEMES Number of Emigration Clearances issued by MEA in last three years Year 2023 2024 2025 Total Number of ECs issued 3,98,316 3,87,067 4,49,110 12,34,493 *****