Nurses taking up jobs in 18 ECR countries need clearance

NEW DELHI: In the wake of reports of malpractices in recruitment of nurses, the government has issued an order which requires nurses to take emigration clearance before taking up overseas employment in 18 Emigration Check Required (ECR) countries.

"In view of reports received regarding large scale malpractices in the recruitment of nurses, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs has issued an order requiring nurses to take emigration clearance before going for overseas employment to 18 ECR countries," Health Minister J P Nadda informed the Lok Sabha.

He said the Overseas Affairs Ministry has also written to all chief ministers to set up state government owned recruitment agencies under license from Protector General of Emigrants for the recruitment of Indian worker for overseas employment.

He said the Indian Nursing Council has conceptualized a computerized live register for various categories of nurses wherein each nurse of a midwife history will be liked with a unique number.

"This will enable nurses in intra, inter-state and inter-country movement for jobs," Nadda said.

Some of the ECR countries include UAE, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Malaysia, Libya, Jordan, Yemen and others.