Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) urged the government to issue labour card for migrant workers.

“Labour card will make migration to foreign jobs safe, uniform and transparent,” the association said in a press meet here today.

The association of Nepali diaspora spreading over 57 countries has submitted a five-point suggestion that includes appointment of Honourary Counsel in Gulf countries Bahrain and Oman to the government. Likewise, the association has also suggested the government ease payment system in Department of Foreign Employment, proper management of labour desk at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) and starting of mass awareness campaign.

Activities of the Board should be focused on creating awareness to reduce foreign job related crimes, it said, adding that fraud in foreign employment has multiplied in recent years following weak governance and irresponsible outsourcing sector. According to the Department of Foreign Employment, about 554 fraud cases have been registered in the department in the first three months of the current year while the number was 349 a year ago. Frauds from outsourcing agents are on the rise in recent times.

The board should use media to raise awareness across the country, it suggested, adding that villages should be the major target of awareness campaign because youth from remote villages are joining overseas jobs these days.

Moreover, the association has asked the government to broaden the base of NRNs too. “The government should accept Gulf countries’ Nepalis also as NRNs,” it said.

Published on: 17 November 2011 | The Himalayan Times