To protect Indian women from any kind of abuse abroad, the government of India has imposed a ban on the emigration of women if they are under 30. The government has taken the step after reviewing complaints regarding the sexual exploitation of Indian domestic helpers who had gone to other countries from India.

According to the report, the ban will be applicable for the Indian workers who need to obtain emigration clearance from Indian authorities before leaving India.

According to Women and Child Development Minister Renuka Chowdhury, the government has banned the grant of emigration clearance to women below 30 if they are seeking employment as housemaids or domestic workers in any Emigration Check Required (ECR) country.

Countries, which come under the ECR, are such as Gulf nations (Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman) Malaysia, Syria, Jordan, Malaysia, Afghanistan, Thailand, Indonesia, Iraq, Brunei, Nigeria, Sudan and Libya.

Many Indian women get jobs as nurses and maids in these countries. They usually belong to states such as Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Media reports on several occasion about the incidents of physically and sexually abuse of low-paid Indian workers by their employers.

Earlier, Renuka Chowdhury had visited Kuwait and found many complaints stating that Indian women workers are being treated badly by their employers. Their employers also impounded their passports and visas. Later, she discussed with India’s Overseas Affairs Minister, Vyalar Ravi and sought to solve the issue.

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