NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Monday encouraged friendly nations to look to Indian talent for their workforce requirements, adding that the demand for a “well-trained workforce” across different regions is set to grow further.
During his keynote speech at the launch of the eMigrate V2.0 portal and mobile app, he said: “There is a global need for workers who have domain specific knowledge in their particular fields.For several reasons, this need for a well-trained workforce in different geographies is only going to grow further.”
“I urge all the participants and particularly the ambassadors who have joined us today, in this inauguration programme, to turn towards the Indian talent and the demographic dividend that India has to offer, for sourcing workforce requirements in your particular countries,” he added.
‘Beacon of hope protecting our worker’
Jaishankar affirmed that the government will remain committed to creating safer and legal pathways for emigration abroad. “The launch of eMigrate V2.0 portal is a testament to our continuing efforts to create a safer, more transparent, and inclusive mobility for Indian labour, and marks a significant milestone in our efforts to safeguard the welfare and interests of our citizens,” he said.
“I hope that all the relevant stakeholders, including Indian workers, foreign employers and recruiting agents will utilize this portal and reap its benefits to the fullest,” he added.
The external affairs minister highlighted that the enhancements made to the portal reflect the changing realities and transformations in global migration dynamics at the launch of the eMigrate V2.0 portal and mobile app.
Jaishankar described the revamped eMigrate portal as more than just a digital platform, stating, “it is a beacon of hope, a symbol of our commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of our workers in foreign lands.”
Further adding that this is evident in the speed at which “we have undertaken negotiations with different countries” on migration and mobility since 2015, as well as in the development of the mobility ecosystem within India itself.
Jaishankar said: “I am sure that all the Protectors of Emigrants, empowered with technology and through their collective experiences, will gear up to work relentlessly towards fulfilling our commitments to the public and to the nation.”
Union minister of labour and employment, Mansukh Mandaviya, and minister of state for external affairs Pabitra Margherita also graced the occasion, along with ambassadors from various countries and other distinguished guests.
What is eMigrate Version 2 portal
Mandaviya in his speech highlighted the ongoing efforts to integrate the eMigrate V2.0 portal with other digital platforms under his ministry. This integration aims to provide potential employers abroad with seamless access to relevant documents and profiles of skilled workers.
The eMigrate Version 2 portal has been integrated with DigiLocker, marking a significant step in digital transformation. This integration allows emigrants to submit various documents for clearances in a paperless manner through DigiLocker, while securely storing important documents like passports and employment contracts, he added.
The Ministry of External Affairs has harnessed technology and digital systems to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the eMigrate portal.
Services in regional languages
“In order to expand the outreach of emigration services, an MoU was signed with Common Services Centre (CSC), which is a special purpose vehicle (SPV) under the Ministry of Electronics and IT, early this year. Modalities to activate this are being discussed,” the EAM said.
“By enlisting services of CSC, emigration related services will be delivered through more than 5.6 lakh common service centres spread in every nook and corner of India, and that too in regional languages, which, I think is very much measured towards people centric and ease of living goals that I had mentioned,” he added.
Jaishankar also discussed the mobility ecosystem, noting that “our passport issuance has almost doubled, and that’s primarily because we view and approach the world today as a global workplace”.
He emphasised that facilitating those who travel abroad for study or reside abroad, and ensuring their welfare and well-being at all times, especially during challenging situations, is now a “very central objective of our foreign policy.”
The external affairs minister said that the launch of the eMigrate V2.0 portal reflects the Modi government‘s dedication to enhancing people-centric governance and improving ease of living.