Session 4 – International Mobility of Indian Workforce: Supply mechanisms and strategies required
The session focused on the current challenges and practices, along with solutions that can be implemented to enhance the international mobility of the Indian workforce. Panelists also discussed work permits, and special visas, among others, to bolster global mobility.
The eminent panelists for this session included Mr. Ajay Kumar Raina; Group General Counsel, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), Director & Chief Operating Officer, NSDC International, Mr. Sanjay Awasthi; India Head of Office, International Organization for Migration (IOM) UN Migration, Ms. Elisa Khetty; Director – India, China, Germany, Helma International, Mr. Saurabh Gau; Secretary, IT, Electronics, Skills and Finance & CEO, APCFSS, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Mr. E Vishnu Vardhan Reddy; Special Secretary (Investment Promotion & NRI Affairs), Department of Industries and Commerce, Government of Telangana, Mr. Harish Wadhwa; Senior Vice President, EPIC Foundation and the moderator Mr. SK Behera; Co-Chairman, CII National Committee on Skill Development and Livelihood & Vice Chairman & Managing Director, RSB Transmissions (I) Ltd.
Mr. Ajay Kumar Raina, Group General Counsel, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), Director & Chief Operating Officer, NSDC International, spoke about skill development and livelihood, as well as NSDC skill development centres that provide soft skills for candidates before getting jobs overseas.
Speaking about activities from IOM, Mr. Sanjay Awasthi; India Head of Office, International Organization for Migration (IOM), UN Migration, said, “In the coming months, we are going to launch a new initiative that will be exclusively focused on ensuring the outreach to the state government so that they can have a more integrated partnership on international migration.”
Ms. Elisa Khetty; Director – India, China, Germany, Helma International, speaking about rules, bilateral agreements, social security, and feasibility criteria, said, “We mostly work for corporations, and to send someone abroad is not just about getting a visa; a full compliance check is conducted to send the candidate from one country to another.”
Mr. E. Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, Special Secretary (Investment Promotion & NRI Affairs), Department of Industries and Commerce, Government of Telangana, who virtually attended the event, spoke about the importance of raising awareness about migration, mobilising needed talent, matching industry demand with the right skill sets, reskilling, and upskilling.
Mentioning unemployment problems and skill set requirements, Mr. Harish Wadhwa; Senior Vice President, EPIC Foundation, stressed, “How we use our demographic dividend advantage in the area of software and hardware is going to be key for employing our youth and increasing our market share worldwide.”
