Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri has stated that the state government would provide safe employment opportunities to the youth overseas. He said that at a time when global competition for employment was rapidly increasing, the state government has taken a decisive step to ensure that the State's youth get employment abroad through safe, legal and reliable channels.
He was addressing the inaugural session of the state-level programme under the Himachal Government’s 'Overseas Recruitment Drive' series, held at Palakwah today, as the Chief Guest.The programme was organized under the joint aegis of the Department of Labour, Employment and Overseas Placement, and the HP State Electronics Development Corporation Limited.
This was the second event in the series - the first drive started in Hamirpur on 9th October.Sh. Agnihotri said that there was a time when people were cheated in the name of providing overseas employment. Parents would spend their entire savings to send their children abroad but there has been many instances that they were duped by illegal brokers.
Now the state government has decided to send youth through affordable, legal and safe means. This step is the outcome of the state government’s commitment 'Skill to every Youth, Opportunity to every Skill'.The Deputy Chief Minister said that the state government was fully committed to the bright future of the youth and this initiative was a concrete step in that direction.
Under the initiative the youth will be selected according to the demand of various trades available in foreign countries, ensuring proper alignment between skill and opportunity.At Palakwah, 457 youth from across the state participated for 100 positions of trailer drivers.
The selected candidates will be appointed at Jebel Ali Port in Dubai. They will receive a monthly salary of 2,250 UAE Dirham (approximately Rs. 52,000), along with accommodation, overtime and other benefits.He also symbolically handed over provisional offer letters to four selected candidates.
He said that this is the safest, most legal and transparent method of getting employment abroad as per individual's skill. There is a demand for skilled manpower abroad and the youth of Himachal Pradesh will immensely benefit from it. This initiative will bring innovation in the functioning of employment exchanges and all possible assistance will be provided to the youth.
State Labour Commissioner Dr. Virender Sharma said that this was the first time, the state government has framed a formal policy to send youth abroad. They will be sent as per the fee norms prescribed by the Ministry of External Affairs.
In the first camp held in Hamirpur, 29 candidates were selected and their visa process has been completed. They will soon be sent abroad. He said that HPSEDC was also developing a software through which youth will be able to directly share their complaints and issues.
The Labour Commissioner said that this campaign will continue and will be organized in different parts of the state. Information on 30 major trades in demand abroad is available on the department’s portal. Interested youth could register there and will also be informed by phone at the time of camps.
District Labour and Employment Officer Akshay Sharma welcomed everyone on the occasion. SDM Haroli Vishal Sharma, along with other officers, a large number of candidates from across the state and local youth were present at the event.