**Executive Summary**
This document is the answer to Unstarred Question No. 1159 in Lok Sabha, answered on February 6, 2026, regarding female workers with Emigration Check Required (ECR) category passports. It addresses concerns about the regulations and restrictions placed on Indian female workers seeking overseas employment in ECR countries. The document aims to clarify the government's policies and the reasons behind them.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Government's Priority:** The government prioritizes the safety, security, and well-being of Indian nationals, especially Indian women, in foreign countries.
* **Regulation of Recruitment:** Recruitment of Indian female ECR category workers is regulated through the Emigration Act, 1983, due to their vulnerability based on complaints received.
* **Age Restriction:** A ban was imposed on granting emigration clearance to women holding ECR passports below the age of 30 for employment in any ECR country, upon recommendation of the National Commission for Women.
* **Reason for Restrictions:** The government imposed restrictions in 2016 restricting recruitment of Indian female ECR category workers through state-run Recruiting Agencies only, to ensure informed, safe, and legal emigration with proper documentation, thereby safeguarding their welfare and preventing exploitation.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Indian Female Workers with ECR Category Passports**
**Impact**
These workers are subject to restrictions on overseas employment in ECR countries. They must be recruited through state-run agencies, and those under 30 years of age are banned from emigration clearance for any type of employment.
**Action Required**
Female workers must comply with the Emigration Act, 1983, and the imposed restrictions, including the age restriction and recruitment through state-run agencies only.
Key Entities Referenced
Emigration Act, 1983: Regulates the recruitment of Indian female Emigration Check Required (ECR) category workers.
ECR countries: Countries for which Emigration Check Required (ECR) passports are needed for overseas employment.
National Commission for Women: Recommended a ban on emigration clearance for women under 30 holding ECR passports.
Ministry of External Affairs: The ministry responsible for matters related to Indian nationals working abroad, including those with ECR passports.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 1159
ANSWERED ON- 06/02/2026
FEMALE WORKERS WITH ECR CATEGORY PASSPORT
1159. MS. MAHUA MOITRA
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-
(a) whether it is true that only state-run recruiting agencies are authorized
to hire Indian female workers holding Emigration Check Required (ECR)
category passports for overseas employment to ECR notified countries, if
so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government is aware that such a policy restricts
opportunities for women compared to their male counterparts, if so, the
details thereof;
(c) whether it is true that there is a minimum age criteria of 30 years for
female workers with ECR category passports for overseas employment
but similar restriction does not apply to male workers;
(d) if so, the reasons therefor; and
(e) whether the Government is aware that such discriminatory policies
violate fundamental rights of equality, non-discrimination, etc?
1ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) & (e) The Government attaches high priority to the safety, security
and well-being of Indian nationals, especially Indian women, in foreign
countries. Recruitment of Indian female ECR category workers is regulated
through the provisions of Emigration Act, 1983 in view of their vulnerability
based on complaints received from Indian female workers. On the
recommendation of the National Commission for Women, a ban was imposed
on grant of emigration clearance to women holding ECR passport below the
age thirty (30) years for all kind of employment in any ECR country. Incidents
of confinement, abandonment of domestic workers by their sponsors have
also been reported. The restriction imposed by the Government of India in
2016 restricting the recruitment of Indian female ECR category workers for
employment in ECR countries through state-run RAs only is to ensure
informed, safe and legal emigration with proper documentation, thereby
safeguarding their welfare and preventing exploitation.
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