Overseas workers to get 24x7 helpline

Overseas Indian Affairs (OIA) Ministry will soon set up a "Resource Centre" here for helping overseas workers in distress. "It will be a one-stop destination for Indian workers," a top official of the OIA ministry said here on Saturday, adding that the Overseas Workers Resource Centre would work round-the-clock on all days. All that a worker in distress has to do is to call a toll-free number 1800-11-3090 to get proper advice on how to overcome his problems in his host country. The Centre would also provide information about how and when to seek legal assistance in case of denial of wages and violation of contract. He pointed out that the centre would help a lot to redress the grievances of Indian workers at a time when many countries are keen to ensure that labour laws are strictly adhered to by the employers there. The toll-free helpline could also be used by the victims of bad NRI marriages so that the ministry could initiate appropriate remedial steps. The official said there was also a plan to set up an overseas employment promotion council to provide information about new job opportunities in foreign countries. "This is envisaged as a counselling mechanism to help Indians go through a legal channel for employment," he said, adding that it would help to reduce incidence of cheating of overseas job seekers by travel agents. http://www.godubai.com/gulftoday/article.asp?AID=3&Section=Asia