Legal Services

Legal Services

The Hon'ble Tamil Nadu Chief Minister announced in a press release on 06.10.2021 that "a separate legal aid cell will be set up for the Tamils who have migrated abroad.

Objectives

Tamils going to foreign countries for work is increasing significantly recent times, the unregistered agents here are sending people who are looking for foreign jobs by brainwashing them with good job, high salary and less workload and send them to work on tourist visa.

People who go to work like that are arrested by the police in destination countries for the following reasons.

  •   Going to work on a tourist visa.

  •   Staying in for eign countries even after visa expired.

  •   Absence of proper documents.

  •   Charges against recruitment agencies to police.

  •   Workplace accidents/road accidents.

In these times, they need to take the case to the courts in foreign countries and also the following problems faced by the Tamils during the foreign employment :

  •   Not provided assured work

  •   Not provided assured salary

  •   Forced to work overtime

  •   Not allowing to avail the leaves

  •   Non-repatriation even after completion of employment contract

  •   Denial of legal rights to workers

While approaching the court to solve the above-mentioned problems, the lack of understanding of the language of those countries is the most ineffective reasons for prosecuting.

Also, due to lack of proper follow-up in the courts, cases related to compensation for persons who die/injury in accidents in foreign countries are pending for many years.

In order to help the migrants who need legal help, legal cell can be formed on behalf of the board in the countries where Tamils live the most, especially in the Gulf countries, Singapore, and Malaysia in the Southeast Asian countries. Also, legal awareness programs can be organized in collaboration with Tamil organizations in Western countries.

Procedure for Legal Aid
  •   A LegalConsultingFirm will be engaged by the board who are familiar with international law as legal advisors.

  •   Persons familiar with the law of the concerned countries (para legal volunteers) will be selected as legal coordinators with the help of Indian embassies in the respective countries.

  •   The legal coordinators so selected should know the local language of the respective countries and Tamil language.

  •   They will act as liaison between victims, advocates and Indian Embassy.

  •   Panel of lawyers who will provide free legal assistance / pro-bono basis will be selected, and if necessary, lawyers on the retainer ship fee basis will also be selected.

Eligibility for legal aid
  •   Those who have gone abroad for study and work and who face legal crisis for the crime they did not commit.

  •   Cases of arrears of salary, physical assault etc. against the employer while working in foreign countries.

  •   False cases pursued intentionally by the employer

  •   Cases relating to compensation to persons who die / get injured due to accidents in foreign countries.

  •   Mercy Petitions of persons convicted for offenses not committed.

  •   Any other on case to case basis.

  •   Victims themselves have to pay their own legal aid fees except in special cases where the Government based on the recommendation of the District Collector will provide legal fees for a prescribed maximum amount.