'Employment opportunities should be created within the country'

Kathmandu, Dec 18: Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security Sarat Singh Bhandari has argued that economic development would not be achieved unless employment opportunities were created within the country.     

At an interaction programme organized by the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security marking the International Migrants Day-2024 here on Wednesday, Minister Bhandari shared that the government was going to observe the coming decade as the Decade of Domestic Employment.     

Recognizing skills, ability and capital gained returnee migrant workers, Minister Bhandari viewed that their skills and knowledge should be leveraged for the country's developmental bid.     

The Ministry is celebrating the International Migrants Day nationwide for a week with various programmes.     

The International Migrants Day, observed globally including in Nepal on December 18 every year, serves as a reminder of the invaluable contributions of millions of migrant workers worldwide as well as sheds light on the problems and challenges facing the migrants.     

Stressing on job creation within the country, Minister Bhandari highlighted the need to change the narrative that 'country is being deserted due to increasing exodus of youths from Nepal.'     

He acknowledged many Nepali migrant workers who were doing exemplary works abroad through education and skill development presently contributing positively to the country upon their return.     

The Minister also shared that government was conducting research and studies into those Nepali returning home with various infections, with plans to implement telemedicine services to address the health concerns of those infected ones.     

He further announced new initiatives of the government to provide collateral free loan to those aspiring to go for foreign employment and at present, a policy was being devised to implement the provision.     

He urged to highly prioritize the online issuance of labour permit to streamline the foreign employment sector.     

Also speaking at the event, Mukunda Prasad Niraula, Secretary at the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, expressed his concern over the declining domestic labour force in the country due to more youths seeking greener pastures abroad although foreign employment has brought about positive changes in the livelihood in rural landscape and ensured qualitative changes in health care and education. (RSS)