The Rajya Sabha on March 13, 2026, introduced the Indian Diaspora and Migrant Workers (Protection and Welfare) Bill, 2026.
The following has been stated: -
•The Indian Diaspora and Migrant Workers (Protection and Welfare) Act, 2026, aims to protect NRIs and migrant workers facing distress abroad, including recruitment fraud, trafficking, exploitation, and cyber fraud.
•It guarantees rights such as consular assistance, legal aid facilitation, grievance redressal, and protection of property and civil interests in India.
•The Act proposes setting up a National Commission for Welfare of Indian Diaspora and Migrant Workers to oversee welfare, coordinate with Indian missions, and address grievances.
•The Commission will also monitor recruitment agents, blacklist fraudulent employers, and assist in the repatriation and rehabilitation of distressed workers.
•It establishes a grievance redressal system, nodal officers in embassies, awareness programmes, and parliamentary oversight through annual reporting.
The detailed Bill is given in the document below.
[Bill No. XXXVII of 2026]
