Govt rescued 1,600 people trapped in Cambodia, Thailand by job scammers: Jaishankar tells Parliament
New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar conveyed to the Lok Sabha on Friday the government’s proactive efforts to tackle fraudulent overseas job schemes that have deceived numerous Indians, media reports said.
These scams have trapped in illegal employment and exploitation abroad under the guise of attractive job offers.
Jaishankar informed the House that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has sought the blocking of websites promoting such fraudulent schemes and has recommended legal action against those involved, reported The Economic Times.
"We have requested for the blocking of sites which promote such jobs. We have recommended prosecution in certain cases for people who have been involved in this," he stated during the Question Hour, according to the report.
The government has successfully repatriated 1,167 Indians from Cambodia and 497 from Myanmar, who were lured to these countries with fake job offers and subsequently forced into illegal work under exploitative conditions.
Highlighting the modus operandi of these scams, Jaishankar explained that they often involve intricate networks targeting vulnerable individuals through online platforms.
He assured that the government is collaborating with law enforcement agencies to dismantle these networks and prevent further victimisation, the report said.
Additionally, the minister addressed persistent issues faced by Indian workers in West Asia, Gulf nations, and the Middle East, such as wage under-payment, non-payment, and mistreatment of professionals and labourers.
He reassured Parliament that Indian embassies in these regions are closely monitoring the situation and conducting regular reviews to safeguard and assist affected workers.
To bolster protections, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has been working closely with local governments, advocating for worker safety and resolving instances of employer misconduct.
Additionally, awareness campaigns have been initiated to inform potential job seekers about the dangers of falling prey to fraudulent job schemes.
The government’s measures demonstrate a comprehensive strategy, combining prevention with intervention, to safeguard Indian citizens.
These efforts to tackle fraudulent schemes and support exploited workers are ongoing, aiming to provide stronger protections for Indians pursuing opportunities overseas.
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