However, the government got some success in providing safe migration passage to women migrant workers and controlling frauds in the sector. 

 

Overall, the government succeeded in implementing programmes mentioned in budget due to reform plan initiated in September, said acting secretary of the ministry Binod KC. “We have opened Gulf labour markets for Nepali women setting criterion,” he said.

 

Implementation of 30-point reform plan suggested by migration expert Dr Ganesh Gurung was another achievement that reduced frauds and migration through individual contracts in second half of the fiscal year, director at the Department of Foreign Employment Kashiraj Dahal said, adding that frauds by outsourcing agencies and their agents reduced to half from about 150 fraud cases in a month in first half of the current fiscal year.

 

Similarly, people joining foreign jobs through individual contracts have also come down to 20 per cent in Jestha (mid-May to mid-June) from 52 per cent in last Bhadra (mid-August to mid-September). “It is a significant progress in controlling frauds,” he added.

 

However, outsourcers did not see any progress in making the business respectable and transparent. “The government ignored us, while implementing reform plan,” president of Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies Bal Bahadur Tamang said.

 

“The reform plan is totally baseless and targeted to demoralise outsourcers,” he accused, suggesting the government to sign labour contracts with destination countries and appoint labour attaches to expand the sector. “Skill training to migrant workers is a must for enhancing bargaining power and get more remittance,” he added.

 

The budget for the fiscal year 2011-12 has targeted to study productive use of remittance. However, the government failed to make any progress. The government is issuing Foreign Employment Bond since last two years but without much attraction. Government is issuing the bond worth Rs 1 billion from the eleventh month of current fiscal year. Remittance cannot be attracted to productive sector with out strong motivation, said Gurung. “Every one knows how to use their money but their priorities are household expenditures,” he added.

 

Despite his pessimism in use of remittance, Dr Gurung is still optimistic in safe migration in future. “The government needs to start more trainings,” he said, adding that sending unskilled workers is not beneficial to both the government and workers.

 

Foreign employment is a backbone of economy as remittance from migrant workers is equal to around 23 per cent per cent of gross domestic production. Half of the 5.6 million households are surviving on remittance but the government’s investment in the sector is just 0.69 per cent of the total budget.

 

The report card

 

• Foreign jobs for rural poor — No

 

• Decent foreign job for women — Yes (needs to do more in controlling illegal migration)

 

• Study to use remittance in production sector — No

 

• Trainings to foreign job seekers — No

 

• Mechanism to control frauds — Yes (needs to explore more options)