The Safer Migration (SaMi) Programme (previously SaMi Project) was launched in 2011 as a collaborative effort between the governments of Nepal and Switzerland to prioritise the rights and welfare of Nepali migrants and their families. Currently in its third phase (16 September 2018 – 15 July 2024), the programme builds on past experiences to empower Nepal’s governmental bodies in the migration sector and aligns with the federalisation process, particularly emphasising support for local governments in managing foreign employment matters. It spans all provinces in Nepal, engaging 38 districts and 156 local governments. The programme’s interventions are centred on five components—providing migrant workers and their families with pre-departure orientation, skills training, legal support, financial literacy, and psychosocial support— working with key stakeholders at the national, provincial and local levels with a number of thematic partners. The SaMi Programme represents a crucial intervention in Nepal’s labour migration sector. This report has documented the learnings of the programme over its 13-year implementation.
This document has been prepared with the support of the research team at the Centre for the Study of Labour and Mobility (CESLAM), Social Science Baha. This document is meant to serve as a guide to transfer the knowledge gained to governmental and non-governmental stakeholders, help address gaps, perpetuate good practices, and elucidate future implications, iterations and actions. The lessons learned have been documented through the use of quantitative data such as programme statistics and impact metrics as well as qualitative data gathered through interviews and group discussions with beneficiaries (migrants and their families) and governmental and non-governmental stakeholders.
