Social security fund for migrants

Kathmandu, August 15

The government is gearing up to introduce a social security fund for Nepali migrant workers.

Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Security Gokarna Bista said that the government, together with Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), will soon set up a social security fund for migrant workers.

Speaking at a meeting of Industry, Commerce, Labour and Consumer Welfare Committee of the House of Representatives here today, Minister Bista said that the government is planning to expand the social security net to include migrant workers.

“We have already initiated discussions with the EPF regarding the social security fund for migrant workers, and the EPF has already prepared a draft guideline for the same,” Minister Bista informed.

According to him, his ministry will go through the draft guideline before holding intensive discussions with various stakeholders, like private sector, employment agencies, and experts, to give it a final touch.

Bista also said that the government is holding discussions with the Qatari government to introduce provisions whereby Nepalis eligible to work in the Gulf country will be able to go there without having to dish out a single rupee.

Minister Bista was responding to the queries put forth by the lawmakers on why the government has failed to implement the provision of ‘free visa free ticket’.

“While we are trying to ink a government-to-government (G2G) agreement with major labour destinations of migrant workers, but it’s proving to be a bit difficult with a few countries that do not pay well,” he said.

Meanwhile, Minister Bista informed that the government is exploring the idea of setting up an ‘employment centre’ as an alternative to G2G agreement with such countries. In such centres, the employers would be able to directly put forth their demands and negotiate with the interested workers, while the government would have to give the final approval.

According to the minister, setting up of such ‘employment centres’ would also ensure there is no involvement of middle-men and the workers will have an upper hand in terms of negotiating their salary and other benefits.