global skill
supplier - ECONOMY
NEWS:
India’s significant demographic dividend presents an opportunity to become a
key supplier of skilled labor to the global workforce.
- Highlights
existing policy gaps and suggests recommendations for enhancing
international labor mobility.
WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?
Global Trends in
Labour Migration:
- Traditional migration
destinations (U.S., U.K., Canada, GCC countries) prioritize
skilled immigration.
- Emerging destinations
(Germany, Japan, South Korea) seek skilled workers to
address demographic challenges like ageing populations and low fertility
rates.
India’s Current
Status:
- Lacks
a comprehensive, evidence-based national policy on
international labour mobility.
- Data
limitations: Annual emigration clearance data covers
only low-skilled workers migrating to 18 countries.
Existing Frameworks:
- India
has bilateral agreements on social security, skill development, and worker
welfare.
- However,
these agreements lack integration into a cohesive national strategy.
Challenges in Skill
Development:
- Inadequate
mapping of skills required in global job markets.
- No
alignment between India’s skill qualification systems and international
standards.
Return Migration
Concerns:
- Neglected
aspect of migration policies.
- Lack
of mechanisms to utilize the skills acquired by return migrants.
Policy Recommendations
Comprehensive Policy
Framework:
- Develop
a National Policy on International Labour Migration with skill-centred
migration as a core focus.
Skill Gap Analysis:
- Conduct
systematic mapping of skill needs in target countries through regional and
national skill forecasting.
- Utilize
big data analytics to track real-time job vacancies globally.
Enhancing Skill
Development:
- Align
India’s skill development programs with international standards.
- Revise
the National Skills Qualification Framework for
compatibility with global skill qualifications.
- Integrate
skills identified in target countries into institutional curriculums and
training programs.
Utilizing Return
Migrants:
- Establish
accreditation mechanisms to recognize and certify skills acquired abroad.
- Facilitate
reintegration of return migrants into the Indian labour market.
Data-Driven Approach:
- Build
a Skill-Centred International Labour Migration Information System to
generate and analyze migration-related data.
- Enable
evidence-based interventions and facilitate skill partnerships with
destination countries.
Boosting Global
Collaboration:
- Strengthen
international skill partnerships with developed economies.
- Leverage
forums like G20 to position India as a global skill hub.