The Indian Community Welfare Fund has been set up to offer various assistance, including legal and financial help to distressed Indians, a top official of the Overseas Indian Affairs Ministry said.
In a novel initiative, the Government has set up a community welfare fund in 42 Indian missions abroad to facilitate extending help to diaspora community in times of difficulty.
The Indian Community Welfare Fund has been set up to offer various assistance, including legal and financial help to distressed Indians, a top official of the Overseas Indian Affairs Ministry said.
The fund has been made available in all the Gulf countries where a substantial number of Indians are living. An estimated five million workers are currently staying in the Gulf region.
"So far the fund has been set up in 42 countries. It has also been made available in several European countries where Indian population is of significant number," the official said.
The fund will particularly be used to help women migrants who become victims of unscrupulous intermediaries in foreign soil.
The official said the fund will equip the missions better in ensuring protection and welfare of overseas Indian workers.
Asked about financial allocation made available to each of the embassies under the fund, the official refused to give details saying it varies from mission to mission.
He said, in case of emergencies, the Ministry coordinates with the Indian Missions, the state Governments and Ministry of Civil Aviation for making necessary arrangements for transportation of Indians who are in distress.
The Ministry has also set up Indian Workers Resource Centres in many countries in the Gulf region to offer information relating to job opportunities and educate people about law of the particular countries.
India has signed Labour Mobility Partnership Agreement with several Gulf nations that provides for exchange of information relating to diverse fields of employment.
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