Labour rules for workers abroad

Source: This post on labour rules for working abroad has been created based on the article “What are labour rules for workers abroad?” published in “The Hindu” on 20^th January 2024.

Why in the news?

The Uttar Pradesh and Haryana governments, with the help of the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), have started the process of recruiting about 10,000 workers to go to Israel to work in construction sector. Israel has been converted into war zone since last 3 months thus there arises an issue of security of migrant workers.

What are the existing rules for labour working abroad?

1. Workers going to conflict zones are required to register with the Ministry of External Affairs’ ‘e-migrate’ portal.
2. Passport under the ECR (Emigration Check Required) scheme cover workers travelling to 18 countries, including Afghanistan, Bahrain, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon etc.However,Israel is not included in this list.

What is “e-migrate system?

The e-Migrate project is designed for facilitating emigration of ECR category emigrants going to notified countries for employment purposes.

e-Migrate is integrated with Passport Seva Project (PSP) of Ministry of External Affairs for online validation of passport details of the ECR category workers being registered.

Concerned ministry: Ministry of External Affairs

What are international Rules related to migrant workers?

There are 2 conventions: –

1) Migration for Employment Convention (Revised), 1949 (No. 97): It protects the rights of migrant workers and their families. The convention was established in 1949 and entered into force on January 22, 1952. This Convention provides several measures that member states should take to safeguard the rights of migrant workers.

Provisions: It includes adequate provision of medical services. Also, migrant workers should not be treated less favorably than nationals specifically in remuneration, collective bargaining, accommodation and access to social security.

2) Migrant Workers (Supplementary Provisions) Convention, 1975 (No. 143): It is an international legal framework that addresses migrant workers in irregular situations and their rights. It deals with Migrations in Abusive Conditions and the Promotion of Equality of Opportunity and Treatment of Migrant Workers.

Conventions administered by: International Labour Organization

India and Conventions: India has not ratified both conventions, Israel had ratified the 1949 convention in 1953.

UPSC SYLLABUS: International Relations