Ministry of Labour and Transport Management has called application from civil servants for the post of labour attaché in major job markets. The applications were called for Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Israel, Oman and Kuwait.

“The ministry has set terms and conditions for the labour attaché,” said minister for labour and transport management Mohammed Istiyak Rai, said, adding that the criteria will help select best people for the job.

According to criteria, labour attaché must be a gazette officer having at least one year experience in the ministry or Department of Foreign Employment and command in English language. Knowledge of additional language spoken in destination countries can also considered as asset to the candidate.

Earlier on March 16, 2010, appointment process of labour attaché was stopped by Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority following reports appointment of unsuitable candidates.

According to Foreign Employment Act 2067, the government should appoint labour attaché in the country where there are more than 5,000 Nepalis working. Likewsie, appointment of labour attaché is mandatory in the destination where 1,000 women are working.

However, the government has not been able to appoint labour attaché according to the law. To fulfill the provision, the government should have to appoint labour attaché in other dozen countries including Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Israel, Oman and Kuwait.

The government has appointed only four labour attaché in Malaysia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates so far. The destinations cover around 90 per cent of 1.9 million Nepalis migrant working abroad.

Published on: 8 July 2011 | The Himalayan Times