THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:Kerala has taken up the issue of emigration clearance for nurses recruited overseas with Central assistance.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy wrote to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj seeking urgent steps to ensure emigration clearance to nurses, who got job visas to work in ECR countries except Kuwait, till recruitments start through government recruiting agencies.
In his letter, the CM pointed out that Indian embassies in the ECR countries except Kuwait has not initiated action for the recruitment through government agencies as per the Union Government order on March 12.
The order had made emigration clearance compulsory for Indian nurses seeking employment in the ECR countries from April 30. Also overseas recruitment was restricted through three State Government-run agencies - Norka-Roots, ODEPC and Overseas Manpower Corporation of Tamil Nadu.
Out of the 18 ECR countries, so far only the Indian mission in Kuwait and the Kuwait Government have initiated action.
No action was taken by Indian embassies in other ECR countries.
“Since emigration clearance is made mandatory from April 30, travel of Indian nurses who got appointment through legitimate means to the ECR countries has completely been stopped. It has resulted in the loss of job opportunities for Indian nurses while the foreign countries are making use of the situation,” Chandy wrote.
In his communication to the External Affairs Minister, Chandy further demanded that immediate action should be taken to blacklist agencies involved in the recruitment scam, especially in Kuwait.
Those who got jobs in Kuwait through legitimate means should be verified and emigration clearance should be given without delay.
He also requested the Indian embassies in all ECR countries to take immediate action for initiating dialogue with the respective governments.