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India imposes total ban on illegal recruitment by US in Iraq

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

New Delhi, May 8, IRNA -- Taking serious note of the "illegal 
recruitment of ex-servicemen by private agencies for security duty 
in Iraq," India`s External Affairs Ministry Friday directed the 
Protector-General of Emigrants to put a total ban on such recruitments
and take action against the erring employment agencies. 
According to the Hindu, a New Delhi-based English daily, the 
Indian government wants to place under suspension the provisions of 
Emigration Clearance Not Required (ECNR) for Indians traveling to 
Iraq. 
Government clearance is required for those seeking employment in 
Iraq since April 15. As of now, there are only 350 Indians working on 
a project in Iraq who have been granted permission. 
Instructions have been issued to exercise "extreme caution" while 
allowing Indian nationals to go for work to Kuwait, the United Arab 
Emirates (UAE) and Jordan. 
Reports suggest that the emigrants were taken to countries 
neighboring Iraq from where they were "smuggled" into Iraq either 
with their consent by offering enormous perks or by forcing them to 
do so after "confiscating" their travel documents, including their 
passports. 
Unconfirmed reports suggest that notice has been issued to a 
Delhi-based recruitment agency against sending of people to Iraq. If 
found guilty, the ministry of labor can suspend the license of the 
authorized employment agents for violating rules and, in the case of 
an unlicensed agent, an FIR can be lodged under the provisions of the 
Emigration Act. 
Sources in India`s Labor Ministry said there were no figures 
available with any agency to indicate the exact number of Indians 
working in Iraq since most of the people went there in an 
unauthorized manner. 
Again, while it would be difficult to take action against job 
seekers who have crossed over unauthorized, the government can only 
target registered employment agencies if found violating directions. 
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