Government run Overseas Manpower services are more secure and reliable: Shashi Bhushan Kumar, IAS

Overseas Manpower Company Andhra Pradesh Limited (OMCAP) strives for opportunities for candidates with less employable skills and aspiring to go abroad. Construction, mining and House made jobs are in demand in abroad now. OMCAP aims to recruit around 68000 in the foreign companies and have entered into an agreement with 25 Middle East Companies in this respect. We are also into an agreement with some private entities in Australia for generating employment opportunities. Along with Placement services the main objective of the company is to help the overseas job aspirants from the exploitation of unauthorized and unscrupulous Placement agencies, says Shashi Bhushan Kumar, IAS during an exclusive Interview with Sakshi who is presently Managing Director of OMCAP.

What is the main purpose of establishing OMCAP?
Many people aspire to do job in foreign country for more bucks either do not know the procedure or are cheated in the process. Our aim is to empower rural youth on the opportunities of foreign jobs, overseas work conditions, passport, visa etc and protect them from exploitation of unauthorized placement agencies . We have already placed 1500 candidates in various jobs.

What kind of training and support OMCAP is offering for foreign job aspirants?
OMCAP entered into MOU with 25 major companies and majority of them from Middle East. According to the MOU, the companies send prospective vacancies to the OMCAP. Based on the eligibility factors and skills, the registered unemployed are selected in the presence of the companies. While providing pre-departure training, assistance in visas, passports, health checkups and travel costs are also arranged. We collect a nominal charge of 40000 where as private agencies collect more than one lakh for this kind of service.

What kind of jobs foreign companies offer through OMCAP?
Most of the job offers come from the Middle East Nations and sectors such as house made and construction are in high demand with a starting salary of 40000 to 50000. Next in demand are the specialist vehicle drivers. Skills based training is conducted at exclusive training centers.

Does the short period training by OMCAP ensure a candidate to be a skilled worker?
Until now, there is no single complaint from workers already recruited and employers as the selection is done by countries directly with no undue interference. The problem arises when certain private consultancies just send candidates to foreign countries without giving proper training and awareness on the job.

Is OMCAP certification recognized internationally? Can we find jobs locally through these certifications?
National Council of Vocational Training (NCVT) provides certification for 1200 courses. In these 56 courses are run by OMCAP. These courses have recognition in 94 countries. Under the Modular Employable Scheme, training and job offers are provided in 112 courses. Through this scheme, we target 68000 jobs from our state with March 31 2013 as the deadline. Our main purpose is employment in foreign but we are also trying to bring local companies in our job net.

What mechanism is the OMCAP following to show suitable jobs for the job aspirants?
When we obtain the vacancy list from the foreign companies the registered candidates get the information of the vacancies. The job vacancies are also posted in the websites and pamphlets are printed and distributed in the districts. An exclusive telephone service is provided in the Hyderabad OMCAP office and the information is obtained in the employment exchanges.

What is the registration process in OMCAP?
We are charging 300 rupees for registration. Foreign job aspirants and unemployed are eligible for registration. At present, we have a registration bank of 8000 members. The hardships faced when one goes to foreign through fraudulent consultancies get reduced when they are recruited through OMCAP and even in unforeseen situations we provide assistance by getting in touch with respective organisation. There is a phone service available for employees already sent through OMCAP in case of any problems.

Does OMCAP organise skills based training centers?
The State Employment Generation Department provides assistance at 124 centres on skills development and training.

Can we control fraudulent consultancies, particularly those sending people to Gulf countries?
We have around thousand private agencies in our state. The functioning and control of these agencies lies under the purview of the External Affairs Ministry. The State Police, Intelligence, Labour Ministry, NGOs and Immigration Department are collectively going to setup a Task Force to regulate and control fraudulent companies. If this comes into action, we can see some reduction in the problem.

Any steps to solve the problems in foreign countries like language and communication barriers..

We are providing country specific pre training on issues like awareness on the culture of the foreign country, Overseas Work Conditions etc.

Are you attending to problems faced by foreign employees?
We are providing counseling sessions to job aspirants through MRCs. To attend the problems of already working people a 24/7 phone service (155330-BSNL) is available.

Your advice to those aspiring for an overseas job...
While aspiring for a foreign job, get first hand information on companies and their record of accomplishment and choose private consultancies carefully. Some consultancies misguide saying it a lucrative job but in reality, you will be getting a downgraded foreign job. So, beware of these frauds. The Government run services like OMCAP are more secure and reliable. Skill development and skill up gradation for overseas job seekers ensures them high wages and career growth.

Published date : 25 Oct 2012 02:48PM