Minister of Labour & Employment, Mansukh Mandaviya ji,
Minister of State, Pabitra Margherita ji,
Secretaries, Government of India,
Excellencies,
Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Our Missions who are joining us virtually,
Friends.
Namaskar!
It was only last year, when during MEA’s campaign for raising awareness about safe and legal mobility channels, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a commemorative postal stamp with the motto ‘Surakshit Jayen, Prashikshit Jayen’, i.e. ‘go safe and go well-trained’. Today’s event captures that sentiment, because it is an expression of the Modi government’s commitment to improving ease of living and to enhancing people centric governance.
2. The launch of eMigrate portal V2.0 today, is a testament to government's continuing efforts to creating a safer, more transparent, and inclusive mobility for Indian labour, and marks a significant milestone in our efforts to safeguarding the welfare and interests of our citizens. This is important because it also aligns with Goal 10 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals which promotes facilitation of orderly, safe, regular, and responsible migration and mobility of people. Before I come to the subject at hand, I also want to tell my friend and colleague Mansukh-bhai that we don’t need an excuse to call him. We are actually two ministers who have worked very very closely. To me, this event is as much an event of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, and this kind of very tight working relationship that we have developed is very much a hallmark of the Modi government. So, I am very very pleased that you could join us. I am also very pleased to see that other Secretaries from other Ministries who participated and contributed to this initiative.
Friends,
3. Let me say, it gives me pleasure to launch a revamped version of eMigrate portal, which is more than just a digital platform – it is actually a beacon of hope, a symbol of our commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of our workers in foreign lands. The enhancements in the portal that we saw in the presentation, actually reflect of the new realities and transformations which we all are witnessing insofar as global migration dynamics are concerned.
4. Today, there is a global need, and others have spoken about it, there is a global need for workers who have domain-specific knowledge of their field. For several reasons, this need for well-trained workforce in different geographies is only going to grow further. This is clearly reflected in the pace at which we have undertaken negotiations with different countries on migration and mobility since 2015, and also, in how the mobility eco-system of India, itself, has been taking shape.
Friends,
5. When I talk about this mobility ecosystem, I refer here to strengthening the entire paraphernalia associated with a citizen travelling abroad. For instance, in the last decade, our passport issuance has almost doubled, and that’s primarily because we view and approach the world today as a global workplace. Facilitating those who travel abroad, for studying or who are residing abroad, and looking after their welfare and wellbeing at all times, especially during difficult situations, is today a very central objective of our foreign policy.
6. While we recognize the invaluable contributions of our migrant workers to India's economy and global reputation, we must also acknowledge the vulnerabilities that they face in foreign lands. Our Missions, especially those in the Gulf, have dedicated labour Attaches which ensure redressal of labour and other grievances. I am pleased to note that the revamped e-Migrate portal also has 24*7 multilingual helpline numbers to attend to issues that they face which requires urgent solutions, in addition to features for registering feedback for redressal.
Friends,
7. The Ministry of External Affairs has leveraged the use of technology and digital systems to enhance the efficiency and efficacy of this portal. In order to expand the outreach of emigration services, an MOU was signed with Common Services Centre (CSC), which is an SPV under the Ministry of Electronic and IT, early this year. Modalities to activate this are being discussed. By enlisting services of CSC, emigration related services will be delivered through more than 5.6 lakh, 560,000 common service centres spread in every nook and corner of India, and that too in regional languages, which, I think is very much measured towards people centric and ease of living goals that I had mentioned.
8. The e-Migrate Version 2 Portal has also been integrated with DigiLocker, and again I think the Joint Secretary referred to it, and that is also a big step in digital transformation. This will enable the emigrants to submit various documents for obtaining clearances through DigiLocker in a paperless mode, as well as to store them securely, all their important documents like passports, employment contracts, are actually secured.
9. I am happy to note that the portal is working towards broadening the social security net of emigrants through insurance policies; and the arrangement with State Bank of India for provision of an additional digital payment services with zero transaction charges; creation of a one-stop authentic marketplace for searching job opportunities abroad which the Minister also recognized and; in keeping with the world where everything is on fingertips, for the development of an e-Migrate Mobile App, which, I must highlight, has been done for the first time.
10. So, this is my message to you, let today not be just about launching of a portal – but let it be about unlocking of mutually beneficial opportunities through a symbiotic relationship that will fulfil the requirements of skilled manpower and talent in partner countries, but which will also help Indian talent to secure gainful employment opportunities abroad; now, together let us advance this shared objective of our governments in promoting safe, orderly and legal mobility.
11. Government of India shall remain steadfast in the efforts of creating safer and legal channels of emigrating abroad. I am sure that all the Protectors of Emigrants, empowered with technology and through their collective experiences, will gear to work relentlessly towards fulfilling our commitments to the public and to the nation. I urge all the participants and particularly the Ambassadors who have joined us today, in this inauguration programme, to turn towards the Indian talent and the demographic dividend that India has to offer, for sourcing workforce requirements in your particular countries. I hope that all the relevant stakeholders, including Indian workers, foreign employers and recruiting agents will utilize this portal and reap its benefits to the fullest.
I thank you for your attention.
