India's first Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) has been formally opened in Kochi, Kerala, by the country's Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Vayalar Ravi.

The European Commission (EC)-funded centre, established by IOM and the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA), will provide migrants with information about legal employment opportunities in the European Union (EU),  the entry requirements of EU member states and the risks of irregular migration.

The centre, which will help potential migrants to make more informed decisions about working abroad, is part of a larger EC-funded project: "Regional Dialogue and Programme on Facilitating Managed and Legal Migration between Asia and the EU."

The MRC, which the MOIA plans to develop with IOM support as a model for similar centres nationwide, will provide walk-in counselling and will operate a telephone helpline on: 0484 – 237 2040, 237 2044.

Its activities will likely include material dissemination, document verification, and provision of pre-departure assistance, crisis counselling and referrals.

For further information, please contact:

Asif Munir
IOM's Regional Office for South Asia in Dhaka
Tel: +880 2 881 46 04
E-mail: amunir@iom.int