Media Release

Udupi, Sep 19: “As per the Emigration Act, 1983 all the recruiting agencies which are sending uneducated laborers to foreign countries, specially to Gulf region, should compulsorily register themselves with vigilance cell headed by deputy commissioner of each District. More than 3000 laborers go abroad every year through Overseas Recruiting Agencies (ORA). Unfortunately, not even a single Overseas Recruiting Agency in Karnataka is registered according to the official website of Ministry of External affairs. Further, not even a single Vigilance Cell is effectively functioning in any of the district.” said Dr Ravindranath Shanbhag, the president of Human Rights Protection Foundation in a workshop organised by Udupi District NRI Welfare Committee. The workshop was organised for aspirants willing to go overseas looking for job, the general public, law faculties and students of Vaikunta Baliga College of Law and general public. Assistant commissioner and convener of NRI Welfare committee T Bhoobalan presided over the programme.

Bhoobalan addressed issues of NRI workers in Gulf and role of NRI Committee. The programme was anchored by advocate Vijayalaxmi, trustee of HRPF.

Dr Ravindranath Shanbhag highlighted various instances of Human Rights violation of overseas workers, particularly in Gulf starting from 1990 and how Human Rights foundation could assist the victims.

The seminar was focused on the multifarious problems faced by these unskilled laborers and the repatriation procedures. Dr Shanbhag also cited the role of the district administration in designing a framework for the prevention of human trafficking, false imprisonment, labor securities and other employment issues of the unskilled workers in various Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Muscat etc.

The session ended with awareness to the mass public that an NRI Grievance Cell will be incorporated by the district administration with assistant commissioner Bhoobalan taking charge of the same and HRPF volunteers facilitating various measures to prevent future problems.