An emigration Bill that does not go far enough

Subject : Legislations

Context : The Emigration Bill 2021 is likely to be introduced in Parliament.

Concept :

The Emigration Bill 2021 seeks to consolidate and amend the existing Emigration act of 1983.
The Emigration Bill 2021 marks some improvements over the 1983 Act.
It launches a new emigration policy division in the Ministry of External Affairs, establishes help desks and welfare committees for migrant workers.
It mandates manpower agencies to conduct pre-departure briefings for migrants.
It increases accountability of brokers and other intermediaries who are involved in labour hiring.

Background:

There has been growing number of reports of exploitative practices like large recruitment charges, contract substitution, deception, retention of passports, non-payment or underpayment of wages, poor living conditions, discrimination and other forms of ill-treatment of the Indian migrant workers.

Emigration act, 1983:

Labour migration is governed by the Emigration Act, 1983. It prescribes a mechanism for hiring of Indians for work in foreign countries.
The recruiting agents must be government-certified.
It outlines certain obligations for recruiting agents like conducting due diligence of prospective employers.
It also lays certain regulations of the recruiting agents like the setting of a cap on service fees.