India, Portugal Discuss Facilitating Migration Of Labourers

Between November 28 and December 2, IOM India and IOM Portugal carried out a scoping mission in New Delhi with an initiative to focus primarily on the labour demands.

In bilateral consultations held recently, India and Portugal reviewed the mechanisms between Portuguese and Indian institutions responsible for facilitating international migration, and discussed advances in implementing the recently signed Bilateral Labour Mobility Agreement between the two countries.

The discussion, which was organised by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM-UN Migration) and the national offices of Portugal and India, took place on November 29, saw participation of a Portuguese delegation comprising representatives of various public and private sector partners.

Between November 28 and December 2, IOM India and IOM Portugal carried out a scoping mission in New Delhi with an initiative to focus primarily on the labour demands in the agricultural and hospitality sectors, aims to formulate a framework for subsequent labour migration schemes for Portugal, fostering safe and regular migration pathways for Indian workers, an official release stated, adding that the meeting addressed the multidimensional aspects of international migration and development and identified appropriate ways to maximize its development benefits.

Sharing his views, Anurag Bhushan, Joint Secretary, Overseas Indian Affairs-1, Ministry of External Affairs, said, "India has long been an important player in the international mobility of skilled professionals and students. It is one of the most sought-after source countries for highly skilled workers. The growing specialization of global labour markets means that as new industries and service activities emerge within the "new economy", so will the need to source skills quickly and efficiently to allow for the development and expansion of cutting-edge sectors in the open labour market."