Creating Jobs For Youths

Over the years, Nepal has made considerable progress in expanding infrastructure in urban and rural areas. Villages have seen improved road networks and installation of the other facilities. Still this development is not enough to create employment at the grassroots. This is a reason why millions of Nepalis are forced to secure their future in foreign countries. Creating economic opportunities is essential for the overall prosperity of the people for it gives them chances to lead a life of happiness and dignity. A decent employment provides a family with nutritious food, education and healthcare. In today’s highly competitive age, only a quality education enables an individual to get the preferred job. However, creating employment has been a challenge for every successive government. 

Focus on innovation, entrepreneurship and investment bring desirable amount of economic activities. Educated workforce is equally important in spurring the economic development. This requires quality education for all the citizens.  But at the moment, Nepal is dealing with two crucial problems – lack of quality education and employment. The government needs to facilitate the investors to set up industries through appropriate economic policies. Incentives should be provided for the growth of agriculture and small and medium-size enterprises. In the absence of integrated approach, a desired level of economic development cannot be achieved.

A news report, published in this daily on Thursday points to a fact that despite the significant improvement in drinking water, healthcare, education, and transport services across local levels in Bajura district, the youths continue to leave their villages in search of better employment prospects abroad. The district has made strides in the development of roads, which drastically shortened the distance from one place to another. Some time back it took almost a day to travel from one ward to another and two to four days to reach a neighbouring municipality in the district, but now travel time between the municipalities has been shortened by hours. The basic facilities have reached many local levels including Himali, Jagannath, Swamikartik, Budhinanda, Tribeni, Budhiganga, and Khaptad Chhededaha. 

With the improved facilities, farmers can easily transport their agro products such as vegetables and fruits to the market. However, this infrastructure development is unable to retain the youths in their home villages. They have been migrating to India and the Gulf countries owing to the lack of irrigation facilities and absence of skill-based and income-generating programmes. Efforts are underway to create jobs though the initiatives such as Prime Minister’s Self-Employment Programme and the chairman’s employment programme are also providing job opportunities. For example, Jagannath Rural Municipality approximately generate 500 jobs for the youths aged 18 to 59 in the village each year. However, these employment schemes are not enough to address the growing number of unemployment seekers. 

Like Bajura, all the districts in the western part of Nepal have seen the exodus of youth to the international labour markets. In order to check this trend, all three layers of government should work in tandem to operate the industries in the places where they hold potential. The feasibility study should be conducted to ensure raw materials, competent workforce, technology, capital and market access before starting the enterprises. Unless we generate viable jobs for the youths inside the country, it is impossible to retain them.