KOCHI: The high court on Tuesday declined to stay central government's decision to make emigration clearance mandatory for overseas employment of nursing graduates.
Justice K Vinod Chandran declined to grant a stay on the orders issued by ministry of overseas Indian affairs (MOIA) on March 12 this year after the government contended that clearance was introduced for the welfare of the nurses themselves and to prevent their exploitation.
The petition filed by Jeeson P Antony of Kodenchery in Kozhikode and four others, had alleged that the government's orders were discriminatory as only nurses were being singled out while the clearance was not required for less-qualified persons. All of them had obtained jobs abroad and their visas were stamped but they had been asked to undergo emigration clearance now, the petitioners complained. It was also alleged that the government's orders wee only administrative in nature.
During the hearing on Tuesday, central government informed the court that MOIA had been receiving complaints regarding malpractices by recruitment agencies and harassment by foreign employers. The decision to enforce emigration clearance as per provisions of Emigration Act of 1983 was taken after examining the matter in detail and with a view to prevent the exploitation and harassment of nurses, the court was told.
Following this submission, the court issued an interim order stating that the petitioners could approach NORKA or ODEPC for their recruitment.
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