Sushila Karki

Lack of skilled human resources is one of the major problems in Nepal’s economy. Although the number of unemployed people is high, some areas still lack adequate workers. The main reason for such a situation is unskilled manpower and the feeling of inferiority when doing low-level jobs within one’s own country. This feeling is believed to be associated with the Hindu caste system. In the ancient period, castes were divided according to profession. Brahmins were at the top of the caste system and worked as priests while Chhetris were in the second position and primarily served as warriors. Vaishyas were in the third place and mostly worked in the business sector, and Shudras held the bottom position.

Even now, many people have such a concept in their minds. So the privileged higher castes and educated people want to do only prestigious jobs. No doubt, not everyone can join government service. Interestingly, people of all castes and communities are ready to do low-level jobs in foreign lands. The reason is they earn more money there. Another reason is that your neighbours and relatives back home cannot find out what kind of work you are doing abroad. Hence, many Nepali youths migrate to foreign countries to earn their livelihood.

Welfare state

There are examples of youths returning to their homeland with dreams of serving their nation with what they have gained abroad. But they fail to achieve their ambitions. They are either humiliated or unnoticed by government leaders or do not get a chance to work in the right place. For this reason, many competent persons have become depressed or are compelled to go back abroad. In the modern era, a welfare state must implement the people’s right to work and earn a livelihood which is enshrined in the constitution. The government should control nepotism, political partiality and corruption, and unfair selection in all employment sectors. It should implement provisions for encouraging and managing qualified human resources within the country.

In Nepal, migrant workers are the most vulnerable to such problems. They have to pay a huge amount to manpower agencies to get a job abroad. Sometimes, migrant workers are cheated by such agencies who leave them jobless or without pay. Many people take loans at exorbitant interest rates to pay the manpower agencies. Not only that, some migrants are cheated and exploited by their own kith and kin who steal the remittance sent in their names. The government earns a huge amount of foreign currency and taxes from remittances. Finally, migrant workers achieve nothing; they return to broken families and penniless conditions. In some extreme cases, many migrants face imprisonment on the charge of murder during the conflict to protect their families and property.

Moreover, there is no certainty of being successful in earning money in a foreign country as promised by manpower agencies. Many migrant workers have failed to earn money or have been exploited by employers, especially in the Gulf. Also, many have gotten into accidents, died or become injured, or been disappeared in foreign lands. In such conditions, some migrant workers have returned home, handicapped and traumatised. Next, it is not sure that one will get good treatment everywhere. One could end up as a lifelong bonded labourer if the employer confiscates the passport and other paperwork. In some countries, the climate is harsh and unsuitable for Nepalis, so they could become seriously ill for the rest of their lives.

Nowadays, many people in the security forces resign early because it is hard to make ends meet with their meagre pay to work as security guards in Europe, the Gulf, Malaysia and India.

However, it has also been observed that some Chhetri and Brahmin army men have been successfully managing their household expenses in the country despite their low income. They are not seen to be interested in migrating to the Gulf countries. After retirement, they prefer to engage in small enterprises like agriculture, dairy farming, poultry farming, raising goats and sheep, selling vegetables, and running small hotels, restaurants and grocery stores. Mostly ethnic communities other than Brahmins and Chhetris prefer to migrate to foreign lands. It is also a compulsion for these people because in Nepal, there are very few chances of retired persons getting a job.

Wealth of a nation

A healthy and strong human resource class is considered to be the wealth of a nation. A trained human resource is necessary for the country’s development. Among the security personnel, many youths seem to be experts in different sectors like cooking, agriculture and horticulture, readymade garments, shoe making, information technology, house construction, painting, carpentry, plumbing and electrical work. They can also be employed in the agro-production field as well as in the enhancement of the agro-industry.

If these people are given a chance to work in their trained fields within the country, they will not want to migrate to foreign lands. If someone requires training, the government should plan to provide it before they retire. The government should create a conducive environment where people can find work in the relevant field or obtain soft loans to establish their businesses. Meanwhile, the private sector should also consider hiring these skilled human resources. Our political leaders should also consider properly utilising these human resources in various fields of economic activity to boost our economy and accelerate the pace of development.

Published on: 17 April 2023 | The Kathmandu Post