Study committee report says 19 new labour destinations feasible

Kathmandu, August 14

A study committee of the government has identified 19 new labour destinations as being feasible for Nepali migrant workers and has urged the government to start groundwork to supply migrant workers to these destinations through bilateral means.

The study committee led by former ambassador of Nepal to Saudi Arabia Uday Raj Pandey submitted its report to Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security Gokarna Bista late Monday pointing at the need to explore labour markets for Nepali workers in countries other than Gulf nations.

The report has suggested that European countries like Portugal, Czech Republic, Romania, Poland, Sweden and Denmark could be feasible labour destinations for Nepali migrant workers as the demand for workers in agriculture and industrial sectors in these nations is growing and facilities for workers are also comparatively better. Similarly, it has also identified Japan, Mauritius, Fiji, China, Russia, Sri Lanka and Maldives as other likely labour markets for Nepali workers.

Meanwhile, the report has also stressed on the need to begin official supply of Nepali workers to India. “India is the largest labour market for Nepali workers since many years. However, as the two nations have not signed any labour agreement, thousands of Nepali workers are paid less in the Indian labour market,” the report states.

Similarly, the report has also suggested the government to send Nepali workers in the cruise industry as workers are paid comparatively higher in the industry.

The report states that though the government might not be able to sign government-to-government pacts with all feasible labour destinations, it should at least conduct field study of labour market in each labour destination before sending Nepali workers there.

However, the report has suggested the government to implement ‘free visa, free ticket’ provision in all the labour destinations for Nepali workers.

Meanwhile, Minister Bista informed that the government will soon introduce a standard guideline to manage the outflow of Nepali migrant workers to developed nations. “The government will explore new labour destinations for Nepali workers based on the suggestion outlined by the report.”