Indian labour likely to power EU

SRIPERUMBUDUR: India is working on a strategy to have legalised migration of young people to Europe in a bid to capture the labour market following the greying of the European population.Delivering the inaugural address after the opening of the international seminar on Young People and Migration organised by the Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development here on Wednesday, Union Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi said as the European population is ageing, India is talking at various levels to provide skilled manpower.Interestingly, as per the figures of European Statistical Office, 17 per cent of Europeans are above 65 and the population is projected to touch 30 per cent by 2060.The Indian Council of Overseas Employees, a unit under the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs has been trying to reach an agreement with the EU for legal migration of young people to European countries, the minister said.Later, talking to Express, Nitin Kumar, head of International Organisation of Migration said that the Human Partnership Agreement has been signed with Denmark.Despite the financial crisis, the remittances have not been hit. “It has increased last year from $54.5 billion to $57 billion,” Ravi said.To a query on Indians being stranded in foreign jails, the minister said the government is taking steps to provide legal aid besides providing a $1,500 for women who go to court.Ravi said he is planning to bring in amendments to the new Immigration Management Bill.