IOM Director General Brunson McKinley and India's Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) Vayalar Ravi, are today signing a Memorandum of Understanding which will serve as a platform for the joint implementation of programmes and activities enhancing the management and facilitation of overseas employment of Indian workers worldwide.

Following the signing in New Delhi, a Project Implementation Unit will be established within the Ministry to initiate activities facilitating managed labour mobility from India.

This includes the joint and immediate implementation in India of a European Commission funded IOM programme promoting both regional dialogue and programmes aimed at enhancing managed labour mobility between Asia and the European Union.

Under this programme, IOM and MOIA will jointly create innovative labour mobility management programmes such as the establishment of an Overseas Workers Resource Centre to disseminate information on legal opportunities for potential overseas workers and the implementation of mass information campaigns.

In order to boost skill levels and tap into new labour demands, a market research unit will also be established in MOIA to forecast future needs. Findings generated by the unit will be used for skill development planning.

"This agreement is a landmark in IOM's relationship with India. Indian overseas workers already contribute an enormous amount to the global economy. Our work together on this programme will ensure not only that this continues to the benefit of all, but in a way that promotes the safety and dignity of Indian workers overseas," says Director General McKinley.

The EC/IOM project is currently being implemented in 10 Asian source countries, all of which are members of the Colombo Process or the Regional Consultative Process on the Management of Overseas Employment and Contractual Labour for Countries of Origin in Asia.

According to MOIA, an estimated 25 million people of Indian origin live abroad, remitting more than USD 24 billion dollars to India every year. About 24 per cent of this originates from the Gulf region.

For further information, please contact:

Aiko Kikkawa
IOM Regional Office for Southern Asia, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Tel: +880 2 881 4604
E-mail: akikkawa@iom.int