Government unveils Internal Employment Promotion Decade

Kathmandu, March 10: The government that has aim to end forced foreign employment has announced next decade (2025-2035) as Internal Employment Promotion Decade.  

Prime Minister Oli announced this at an inaugural session of the 'National Labour and Employment Conference-2081' organized by the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, today. 

A memorandum of understanding was signed between the government and 10 different umbrella organisations of private sector to create employment and impart training for youths.

On the occasion, MoU was signed between the National Skill Development Corporation and Computer Association of Nepal, Hotel Association Nepal, Federation of Contractors' Association of Nepal, NADA Automobiles Association of Nepal, Garment Association of Nepal, Federation of Grill and Steel Fabricators Nepal, Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association, E-core International Trenik Pvt Ltd and Global Qualification and Motherland Skill Academy.   

Similarly,  , Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security and Swiss Agency also signed MoU for the expansion of integrated market information system under Prime Minister Employment Programme.

Addressing the conference, Prime Minister Oli asserted that private sector has significant contribution to make in creating employment in the country.

He mentioned that the private sector should lead the country's economy, adding employment creation and entrepreneurship promotion is at high priority of the government. 

Similarly, Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security, Sharat Singh Bhandari, shared that the government has a plan to create employment opportunity in the country and making the foreign employment dignified, disciplined and safe.

Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Damodar Bhandari said that the private sector has contributed to the growth of the national economy even by taking risk, reiterating on the government's policy of encouraging the private sector.

"The government has initiated various aspects of policy reforms, which are reflected in the economy. Innovative programmes have been brought considering the need to encourage the private sector to ensure employment, promote entrepreneurship and create hope by overcoming frustration," he added.

Prime Minister's Economic and Development Advisor Dr Yuba Raj Khatiwada said the government's vision is to end forced foreign employment, send of competitive skill-based manpower to the international labour market, to ensure social security in bilateral labour agreements and to end the compulsion to go for foreign employment again and again.

Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) President Chandra Prasad Dhakal stressed the need of removing policy ambiguities that discourage the private sector.

"Only when the private sector can promote entrepreneurship in a confident manner can employment opportunities be created. As the policy making process is in the progress, attention should be paid to this, immediately amending the law and creating an investment-friendly environment," he said.

President of the Joint Trade Union Coordination Centre (JTUCC), Jagat Singhkhada, stressed the need of creating an environment of cordial labour relations by increasing the minimum wage of the workers, effective implementation of the social security scheme and repealing the anti-worker provisions of the Labour Act.

During the two-day conference, discussions will be held on identifying and promoting potential areas for domestic employment generation, enhancement and expansion of employment services and facilities in Nepal, various dimensions of labour migration management, Nepal's potential in the development of information technology and employment generation, use of foreign employment knowledge, skills and capital to increase production and productivity. 

Earlier, the government had organised labour and employment conferences in 2054 BS, 2061 BS, 2069 BS and 2076 BS.