Stakeholders have stressed the need for an inter-ministerial coordination mechanism to address overall migration governance issues in Nepal.

 

At a meeting organised by the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security with support from International Organisation for Migration, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security Krishna Gyawali said the government had made it compulsory for any labour demand to obtain attestation from Nepal's embassies in destination countries. “The government is also providing legal assistance to migrant workers in trouble,” he added. The meeting was held to validate the findings of a Migration Governance Indicators assessment, according to a statement released by IOM in Nepal.

 

The assessment looks at areas in which Nepal has a ministerial structure in place and clear mandates to deal with a range of migration management issues. It also examines areas of active engagement with partners to address migration and related issues at national, regional and global levels.

 

In Nepal, the Department of Immigration under the Ministry of Home Affairs is tasked with monitoring, controlling and regulating entry, exit and stay of immigrants. 

 

The Consular Services Department under the foreign ministry deals with diaspora-related matters. The Department of Foreign Employment under the labour ministry tracks and maintains data on regular migrants abroad.

 

The report proposes ways to align and raise standards, increase dialogue and put in place necessary structures. It recommends the development of national programmes to manage labour migration based on international labour market demand, and incentives to attract immigrants with specific skills.