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Join Date: 04 Mar 2015
Location:  KuwaitPosts: 87 |
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Nurses recruitment: Kuwait, India finalizing modalities – India designates 3 agencies to recruit n |
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Nurses recruitment: Kuwait, India finalizing modalities – India designates 3 agencies to recruit nurses from May 1
KUWAIT: Kuwait and Indian authorities are in the process of finalizing the modalities of an agreement on the thorny issue of recruitment of nurses from India following two days of discussions here, said Indian Ambassador Sunil Jain. Addressing a meeting at the Indian Embassy along with the members of a high-ranking Indian delegation, the ambassador said from May 1, 2015 onwards recruitment of nurses from India will be held only through three government-designated agencies in India. They are NORKA (Non-Resident Keralites' Affairs Department)-ROOTS, ODEPC (Overseas Development and Employment Promotion Consultants Ltd) and Manpower Development Corporation, Tamil Nadu. "The employers in Kuwait who wish to recruit nurses from India will have to register through India's e-Migrate system. Now, emigration of nurses to foreign countries has been brought under ECR (immigration clearance required) category," the ambassador said. "It is a major decision by the government of India in order to put an end to the exploitation of Indian nurses. We are receiving full cooperation from Kuwait's ministry of health authorities in introducing the new system and the final details of an agreement are currently being worked out," he explained. "We are moving in the right direction now. We are moving to a new system on May 1, 2015, which will be transparent and corruption-free. It will also help safeguard the interests of our nurses," the ambassador said. Extensive discussions A four-member delegation consisting of Kerala State Principal Secretary, (Labor) Tom Jose, NORKA (Non-Resident Keralites' Affairs Department)-ROOTS Secretary Rani George, CEO Kannan, ODEPC (Overseas Development and Employment Promotion Consultants Ltd) and Kerala Managing Director Muraleedharan G N, arrived in Kuwait on Tuesday and held extensive discussions with Ministry of Health Undersecretary Dr Jamal Al-Harbi and other officials. The delegation also met officials from the ministry of finance and foreign ministry. "We have discussed with Kuwait authorities about the new system to be introduced from May 1 onwards. Their response has been very encouraging and positive. The ambassador is taking the initiative and we are very hopeful that in the next few days' time we would be able to reach an agreement on this issue," said Tom Jose. He said both Union government and Kerala state government are concerned about the large-scale corruption and malpractices in recruitment of Indian nurses to overseas countries. Both governments are fully committed to solving the problems being faced by nurses today, he said. "However, it is not a very easy job because there are interests who certainly want to perpetuate the current scenario. It is some RS 2,000 core business or probably much more than that. When we try to change the existing system there bound to be repercussions, ramifications, responses and reactions. But we are hopeful of purging the recruitment system and bringing about total transparency," he said. Massive corruption The India government took the decision to streamline overseas recruitment of nurses following cases of massive corruption and cheating involving huge sums of money. Ambassador Jain had moved both External Affairs Ministry and Indian Overseas Affairs Ministry in India to find a lasting solution to the issue. The ambassador and Jose responded to questions raised by community representatives and media persons and sought to dispel apprehensions about the new recruitment system. A delegation representing 250 private Indian nurses also attended the meeting and submitted a memorandum to the visiting delegation. In the memorandum they requested help from authorities in finding placement for them in Kuwait as they are on the verge termination. Recruited through a private agency, these nurses claim that many new Indian nurses who arrive in Kuwait on visit visas are being recruited currently. "Many of us face huge financial indebtedness. We have paid large amounts to agents to get a job in Kuwait. Even though we are experienced and qualified nurses, we are now fired. Instead of appointing new nurses, why can't they appoint us?" they asked. Source:Kuwaittimes http://news.kuwaittimes.net/nurses-recruitment-kuwait-india-finalizing-modalities-india-designates-3-agencies-to-recruit-nurses-from-may-1/ |
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