Srinagar, July 8 : Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting to review the roadmap for reviving and operationalising the Jammu & Kashmir Overseas Employment Corporation Limited (JKOECL), with a focus on creating a structured system to connect skilled youth from the Union Territory with international employment opportunities.
The meeting discussed a comprehensive strategy to re-establish JKOECL as the government’s nodal agency for ensuring safe, transparent and demand-driven overseas recruitment. Officials deliberated on strengthening institutional mechanisms, developing global-standard skills, expanding international partnerships and creating an ecosystem to prepare young people for overseas careers.
Director Employment J&K Harvinder Singh presented a phased roadmap for the corporation’s revival, which includes setting up a digital overseas employment portal, collaborations with licensed recruitment agencies, foreign language training, international certification programmes, employer engagement, counselling, pre-departure orientation and post-placement assistance.
The proposed framework aims to position JKOECL as a coordinating agency working with the Ministry of External Affairs, Protector of Emigration, Indian Missions abroad, skill development institutions and authorised recruitment agencies to ensure ethical and legally compliant overseas employment.
Protector of Emigration, Chandigarh, Ministry of External Affairs, Yashu Deep Singh, highlighted overseas employment trends from J&K, remittance contributions and job opportunities available through India’s labour mobility agreements with various countries. He also pointed out challenges such as lack of awareness about legal migration channels, limited institutional outreach, reliance on unverified sources and the need for internationally recognised skill development.
Reviewing the proposals, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the objective should go beyond merely facilitating migration and focus on building a globally competitive workforce from Jammu and Kashmir.
He directed that the upcoming Industrial Policy should include provisions for establishing skill development and training institutions capable of meeting international workforce demands. He also stressed the importance of encouraging private sector participation in skill development and employment generation.
The meeting was attended by Education Minister Sakeena Itoo, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary Finance Shailendra Kumar, senior officials from Labour & Employment, School Education, Skill Development and other departments.
