Govt to start spl AIR services for Indian migrants

Keeping its focus well on issues faced by Indian migrant labourers, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), along with public service broadcaster All India Radio, will soon start special services to reach out to them.

The services will be part of a special communication strategy formulated by the MEA to generate awareness among vulnerable migrant labourers, who often fall prey to agents and are subjected to fraud and exploitation, and also guide them reach out to the government in case of emergencies.

According to sources, the campaign would comprise two services. “One would be broadcast through AIR’s domestic service for prospective migrants in catchment states, from where the majority of migrant labourers go to different countries. The second one would be broadcast by the external services division of AIR for Indian labourers working in different countries, especially the numerous workers in the Gulf countries,” a senior official said.

Sources added that the programme content for both the service, which would be provided by the MEA, would include distress support system, visa information, services provided by Indian missions abroad to Indian migrant labourers, sensitising them about their rights and duties in their countries of migration as well as skill development for better prospects.