
Q: Discuss the improvements and drawbacks in the emigration bill 2021 in comparison to 1983 act. [July 28 Q2]
Hints:
Emigration act 1983 governments the labor migration of India to 18 countries. Emigration bill 2021 open for criticism and feedbacks seek to fix drawbacks of previous act.
Drawbacks of Emigration act 1983
- Lacks attention to other areas beyond gulf region as it enacted with special focus on migration to Gulf region.
- Failed to address core issues like exorbitant recruitment charge, poor living conditions, retention of passport..etc
- No proper mechanism to solve problems like unregistered migration & illegal broker market..etc
Improvements in emigration bill 2021
- Proposes 3 tier institutional framework handling matters of welfare effectively.
- Pre departure briefings to make workers more aware.
- Comprehensive emigration management through CEMA.
- Ensures welfare and protection of migrants through BEPP, BEA & CEO.
- Increases accountability of brokers and intermediaries.
Drawbacks of emigration bill 2021
- Agents can set their even service charges.
- Worker to bear service charges (can go high as salary) which is against ILO convention.
- Not in sync with international standards
- Lack of human rights framework
- Scant gender dimensions of labor migration vulnerable to various offenses.
Even though 2021 bill includes steps that drastically improve the life of Indian emigrants, it’s still incomplete.
Way forward.
- Migration centric Strategies
- Policies formulation to reduce distress induced migration
- More participation from stakeholders to ensure inclusive growth..