Parliament Question: Measures to Regulate Private Placement Agencies

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5883 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.03.2026 MEASURES TO REGULATE PRIVATE PLACEMENT AGENCIES 5883. SHRI SRIBHARAT MATHUKUMILLI: Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has any data on the number of grievances/complaints received from job seekers relating to exploitative practices by private placement agencies, such as confiscation of original certificates, sale of fake experience or verification of documents, proxy interviews or lack of transparency in fees and placement commitments and if so, the details thereof; (b) the details of measures being taken by the Government to adequately address the said specific categories of grievances; (c) the details of current status of the Private Placement Agency (Regulation) Bill, 2025 and the expected timeline for its introduction; (d) the details of consultations held with stakeholders under the Pre- Legislative Consultation Policy; and (e) whether the Government has proposed measures to regulate private placement agencies operating through informal digital channels, such as social media and messaging applications and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE) (a)to (e): The matter regarding regulations/repatriation of placement agencies lies in the domain of the respective States/UTs. Contd..2/-::2:: The State/UT Governments have been advised to regulate the functioning including registration of private placement agencies. Complaints relating to such agencies are dealt by respective State Governments/UT Administration under the provisions of BNS or other prevailing Acts under which such establishments are registered. Committees had been constituted from time to time on the issues pertaining to private placement agencies and the Ministry has issued advisories to State / UT Governments to take all necessary steps to protect the interest of workers by regulating the conduct of private placement agencies. The Government has established multiple platforms for grievance redressal of labourers. These include Samadhan Portal, the eShram Grievance Management System (Toll-free No. 14434), National Career Service (NCS) for Job Opportunities, Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) for Skill Development, and the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS). These platforms are aimed at ensuring timely and effective resolution of grievances raised by workers across the Country. The Private Placement Agency (PPA) (Regulation) Bill, 2025 has been drafted by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India. The bill was placed in public domain for stakeholder consultation. The Private Placement Agency Regulation Bill aims to regulate and register all private placement agencies to ensure transparent and accountable recruitment practices. It seeks to protect job seekers from exploitation, fraud, and unsafe placement. The Bill also establishes clear operational standards and oversight mechanisms to promote fair and ethical employment practices. *****