Concerned over exploitation of Indian women in certain countries, the Centre today said it plans to ban emigration of female workers to nations that do not commit to protect them.
It will also not allow emigration of any woman below 30 years of age for work to any country and have a policy of compulsory attestation of employment documents by the Indian mission. Earlier these regulations applied to only female domestic workers.
"Emigration of women will not be allowed to countries that do not commit themselves to their protection and welfare by signing bilateral MoU with India," an official release said.
"India would insist on bilateral Memoranda of Understanding with countries wanting to employ women workers from India," Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi told a function here.
"We want to make emigration rules stricter, especially in the case of women," he said, noting incidence of women trafficking and mistreatment by employers in certain countries.
The ministry of overseas Indian affairs signed a pact with the International Organisation of Migration for a project to facilitate legal migration between Asia and the European Union.
The project 'Regional Dialogue and Facilitating Managed and Legal Migration between Asia and the European Union' is aimed at reducing irregular migration, enhancing regional cooperation and placement capacity among recruiting agencies, dissemination of information relating to employment opportunities and procedures to intending migrants.