Govt comes up with 47-pt decisions to address issues of foreign labour migration

By Ashok Ghimire, Kathmandu, Sept 21: In its bid to resolve the issues surfaced in the country's foreign labour migration, the government is to sort out policy, legal and procedural systems for the long-term solution by fixing a certain deadline.     

A meeting held on September 11 and 12 under the chair of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' made such decisions to make foreign employment safe, orderly and systematic. Ambassadors from 12 major countries of destination had also attended the meeting.     

According to Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security Sarat Singh Bhandari, new destinations for foreign jobs would be explored and bilateral labour agreements signed with new countries of destination.     

Likewise, rights and social security of the migrant workers would be ensured, labour approval process simplified and the roles of diplomatic missions made effective.     

Similarly, Minister Bhandari said that bringing the dead bodies of the migrant workers and reintegration of the returnees would be ensured under the social welfare responsibilities.     

The Labour Migration Division would be established at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.     

Bhandari shared that the term of reference of the Division would be formulated to manage Roaming Ambassador and Labour Attaches by coordinating with the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security.     

As decided, visa verification process would be simplified by amending the guidelines on labour permit approval for personal labour approval system.     

In order to simplify the payment process for regaining labour permit, the Labour Ministry would coordinate with diplomatic mission and Nepal Rastra Bank. Similarly, relief and rescue fund would be set up at all labour destinations. For the mobilization of the fund, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will prepare a directive within a month.     

Moreover, the Board will prepare a work procedure in a month for the transparent mobilization of the revolving fund to be provided by the Board to the mission. The cost of transportation of the dead bodies of migrant worker would be borne by the fund, and the fund would be reimbursed by the government later.     

As per the decision, the country would establish a diplomatic mission in the countries having more than 10,000 Nepali workers. Such missions would however have 'dry positing' of Under Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a labour attaché and a local employee, according to Minister Bhandari.     

It has been estimated that Portugal, Romania, Malta, Cyprus, Croatia, Maldives, Poland, Turkey have more than 10,000 Nepali workers. Quota for labour councilor and labour attaché would be created for these countries. The Ministry of Labour would prepare a proposal within a month with the coordination of Ministry of Foreign Affairs.     

Similarly, the meeting pointed out the need of establishing quotas for appointing labour councilor and labour attaché in Japan, Germany, Austria and Israel and for a labour attaché in South Korea. The labour councilor and labour attaché would have three years' term in minimum hereafter. 'Employers pay principle' would be put in place.     

Specialization of fee would be managed, thereby not fixing more than Rs 100 thousand.     

The meeting held at Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers was attended by DPM and Defense Minister, Purna Bahadur Khadka; DPM and Home Minister, Narayan Kaji Shrestha; Labour Minister Bhandari, Foreign Minister Narayan Prakash Saud, PM's Chief Political Advisor Haribol Gajurel, Chief Secretary Dr Baikuntha Aryal, Secretary at Labour Ministry, Kewal Prasad Bhandari, Foreign Secretary Bharat Raj Paudel and Nepal's ambassadors to various 12 countries and general consuls. (RSS)