The proposed project aims to enhance the welfare of migrant workers from India by establishing a robust Pre-Departure Orientation (PDO) programme which will be embedded in the skills training programme currently provided by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), and lead to enhanced understanding and knowledge of Central and State Government officials in effective migration management by advocating for and providing information on PDO.
The PDO programme will build linkages with the initiatives being undertaken by the Colombo Process, in particular the Comprehensive Information and Orientation Programme (CIOP), which was proposed by the Philippines government and endorsed at the Abu Dhabi Dialogue. One of the main objectives of this initiative is to enhance pre-departure orientation to boost migrants’ welfare in countries of destination through the development of standardized curricula across the CP member states. To support the CIOP, two Thematic Working Groups (TWG) are planned comprising relevant technical officials from the Colombo Process member states and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. Under the project, efforts will be made to include participants from MOIA/ICM as part of the TWG workshop, and to attend TWG meetings.
As a roll-out of the project, IOM, in partnership with the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs and India Centre for Migration, will organize a one day consultation in New Delhi by bringing together key stakeholders such as the Ministries of Overseas Indian Affairs including Protector of Emigrants (POE), Labour and Employment, Skill Development, National Skill Development Corporation, Indian Centre for Migration, State Governments, experts and NGOS working on migration related issues.