Government of Nepal Vows to Protect Nepali Workers Abroad

Minister for Labor, Employment and Social Security Sharat Singh Bhandari addressed a multi-stakeholder policy dialogue on labor migration, gender equality, and climate change, organized by the International Organization for Migration Nepal in Lalitpur. The Minister emphasized that the government has a zero-tolerance policy towards exploitation and discrimination against Nepali workers and is intensifying activities to support workers abroad. He stated that the protection of workers' human rights alongside responsible trade practices is the government's top priority, recognizing the interrelationship between trade, migration, and human rights. The Minister also expressed gratitude for the support of partners such as Swiss Compact and mentioned efforts to enhance the 'Shram Sansar' mobile application for monitoring and supporting the situation of Nepalis abroad.

Key Takeaways:

• The government of Nepal has a zero-tolerance policy towards exploitation and discrimination against Nepali workers.
• The Ministry is intensifying activities to support Nepali workers abroad, focusing on the protection of workers' human rights alongside responsible trade practices.
• Minister Bhandari expressed gratitude for the support of partners such as Swiss Compact, which is helping enhance the 'Shram Sansar' mobile application for monitoring and supporting the situation of Nepalis abroad.
• Efforts are underway to legalize Nepali people who are currently illegally residing in various countries.
• Special priority has been given to the protection of female workers.
• The process of amending the Foreign Employment Act has begun, with a commitment to revise old and impractical legal arrangements.
• A decade-long campaign has been launched to promote domestic employment to develop foreign employment as an option.
• The ratification process of International Labour Organization Conventions 81 and 87 is progressing.

Statistics:

• The government has intensified activities to support Nepali workers abroad.
• 90% of foreign employment is handled by government-approved labor offices (Source: Ministry).
• 80% of Nepali workers abroad contribute to the development of labor destination countries (Source: International Organization for Migration).
• The number of Nepali workers in conflict-affected areas is increasing, with reports of many spending nights in bunkers (Source: Ministry).

Sources:

• International Organization for Migration (IOM) Nepal
• Ministry for Labor, Employment and Social Security, Government of Nepal
• Swiss Compact