Punjab government as recruitment agency for youth seeking overseas employment

The Government of Punjab has taken proactive steps to facilitate safe, legal, and transparent overseas employment for the state’s youth. Recognising the high aspirations of Punjabi youth to work abroad and the growing challenges of fraudulent recruitment practices, the government decided to formally position itself as an authorised recruitment agency. This initiative aims to ensure that young job seekers can access verified international employment opportunities without falling prey to exploitation by unlicensed private agents.

Background and Context

Punjab has a long-standing tradition of labour migration, particularly to countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, and Italy. However, this strong migration culture also led to the emergence of illegal travel and recruitment agents, resulting in cases of fraud, exploitation, and human trafficking.
To address these concerns and safeguard the interests of overseas job seekers, the Punjab Government, through the Department of Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training, decided to act as a registered recruitment agency under the provisions of the Emigration Act, 1983, which governs overseas employment from India.
This move aligns with Punjab’s larger employment strategy under the Ghar Ghar Rozgar te Karobar Mission (GGRK), which aims to provide employment to every household through both domestic and international opportunities.

Objective of the Initiative

The decision to function as a recruitment agency has several interlinked objectives:

• To protect job seekers from fraudulent recruitment practices.
• To ensure legal, transparent, and affordable overseas employment.
• To facilitate direct coordination with foreign employers and embassies.
• To promote skilled migration by linking trained youth with global labour markets.
• To support Punjab’s broader employment and diaspora engagement policies.

Legal Status and Registration

Under the Emigration Act, 1983, only authorised entities registered with the Protector General of Emigrants (PGE), Ministry of External Affairs (Government of India) are permitted to conduct recruitment for overseas employment.
Accordingly, the Punjab Government’s Department of Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training applied for and obtained a Recruiting Agent Licence from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). This licence empowers the state government to function as a legitimate recruitment agency—the first state government in India to receive such accreditation.

Key Functions of the State Recruitment Agency

1. Identification of Overseas Job Opportunities: The department collaborates with Indian missions abroad, foreign governments, and reputed international companies to identify genuine employment opportunities for Punjabi youth.
2. Verification and Documentation: All recruitment activities are conducted strictly under the Emigration Act guidelines, ensuring that contracts, wages, and working conditions meet international labour standards.
3. Skill Mapping and Pre-departure Training: The agency links skilled candidates trained under state and central government programmes (such as the Punjab Skill Development Mission) to relevant overseas job openings. Candidates also receive pre-departure orientation, covering legal, cultural, and safety aspects of migration.
4. Transparent Fee Structure: Unlike private agents who often charge exorbitant fees, the Punjab Government’s agency operates on a nominal cost model, covering only administrative and documentation expenses.
5. Collaboration with the eMigrate Portal: The recruitment process is conducted through the Government of India’s eMigrate platform, ensuring transparency and traceability.
6. Grievance Redressal and Support: The agency provides post-deployment support and grievance mechanisms through the Punjab State Overseas Employment Cell, which works with Indian embassies to assist citizens abroad.

Institutional Framework

The recruitment agency operates under the supervision of:

• Department of Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training, Punjab
• Directorate of Employment Generation
• Ghar Ghar Rozgar and Karobar Mission (GGRK)

To ensure effective coordination, the government has set up:

• District Bureaus of Employment and Enterprises (DBEEs): These act as local facilitation centres where candidates can register for overseas employment opportunities.
• State Overseas Employment Cell: A specialised wing to manage overseas placements, documentation, and partnerships.

Process of Recruitment and Application

1. Registration: Youth seeking overseas employment register through the official state employment portal — www.pgrkam.com.
2. Verification: The department verifies the applicant’s credentials, qualifications, and skill certifications.
3. Job Matching: Based on the candidate’s profile, the agency matches them with suitable overseas employers through official channels.
4. Interview and Offer: Shortlisted candidates are interviewed (virtually or in person) by foreign employers. Offers are issued only after approval through the eMigrate system.
5. Visa and Documentation: The agency assists in completing visa applications, emigration clearance, and insurance formalities.
6. Pre-departure Orientation: Candidates receive counselling on living conditions, legal rights, and emergency contact procedures before departure.

Safeguards and Advantages

• Legal and Safe Migration: Ensures all placements comply with Indian and host country laws.
• Protection Against Fraud: Eliminates risks of illegal human trafficking or job scams.
• Government-to-Government Linkages: Builds direct employment channels with trusted employers abroad.
• Affordability: No exploitation through service charges or commissions.
• Post-placement Support: Access to grievance redressal mechanisms through embassies and the Punjab Overseas Employment Cell.

Target Countries and Sectors

The Punjab Government’s recruitment initiative focuses on countries with legitimate labour demand and established migration frameworks, including:

• Middle East nations (UAE, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia)
• European countries (Germany, Italy, Romania)
• North America and Australia (under skill-based visa programmes)

Major employment sectors include:

• Construction and infrastructure
• Healthcare and nursing
• Hospitality and services
• Manufacturing and mechanical trades
• IT, logistics, and agriculture

Complementary Programmes

This initiative is integrated with other employment and skill development schemes such as:

• Punjab Skill Development Mission (PSDM)
• Ghar Ghar Rozgar te Karobar Mission
• Apni Beeti Apna Karobar Scheme (self-employment)
• Punjab Overseas Employment and Skill Training Centres

These programmes ensure that candidates possess the required international-level skills and certifications before placement.

Impact and Expected Outcomes

The establishment of Punjab’s official recruitment agency has been widely regarded as a progressive and protective policy measure. Expected benefits include:

• Reduction in illegal emigration cases and fraudulent recruitments.
• Enhanced overseas employment opportunities for skilled Punjabi youth.
• Strengthened collaboration with international employers and diaspora networks.
• Improved reputation of Punjab as a source of skilled, legal migrant workers.

Significance

By acting as a state-authorised recruiting agent, the Punjab Government has become a pioneer in formalising safe overseas migration at the state level. The initiative represents a shift from unregulated private recruitment to a government-led, ethical, and transparent model.