Even as it has been observing the annual International Migrants’ Day since 2006, the condition of Nepali migrant workers in labor hosting countries has remained unchanged. 

They face problems like physical, mental and sexual harassment, low salary and perks, confiscation of passport upon arrival, unhealthy working condition, and no leaves and insurance facilities. Lack of awareness among Nepali migrant workers, unethical behavior of unscrupulous manpower companies, ineffective labor rules and regulations and lack of formal labor agreements with labor-hosting countries are major causes of these problems. 

Although Government of Nepal has allowed migrant workers to go to 110 countries for employment, it has signed formal labor agreements (Memorandum of Understanding) with only five countries: South Korea, Japan, Qatar, UAE and Bahrain. Formal agreement helps promote interests and rights of migrant workers in host countries. The Gulf region, primarily UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Lebanon and Israel, has become the major destination for Nepali migrant workers yet there are no formal agreements with them. 

More than three million Nepali migrants are working as construction workers, carpenters, watchmen, domestic helpers, housemaids, gardeners, salesmen, security guards, sweepers, toilet cleaners, shepherds and electricians in these countries, going through both formal and informal channels. Each day more than 1,500 young and energetic youth leave the country in search of better employment and perks. 

The problems faced by Nepali migrant workers abroad, particularly in the Gulf countries, have not deterred Nepalis from going. Their entry into these countries has also been facilitated by low cost working visas, easy access to information and growing number of manpower companies in Nepal. The policy of hiring semi-skilled and low-skilled migrant workers to meet the labor needs of rapidly industrializing Gulf region has become lucrative for large numbers of unskilled and unemployed Nepali workforce. Developed countries like the US, Canada, Germany, France and Norway are off limits for them. Only a few manage to enter these countries, that too for purposes of study, tourism, business, training and seminar. 

Moreover, every year more than 400,000 mentally and physically fit young people enter the Nepali labor market; only 10 percent of them can be adjusted in our industries. The rest either engage in part time agriculture or go abroad to support their family’s livelihood. Despite its huge potential to generate employment opportunities for growing workforce through the use of national resources such as abundant water resources, agriculture, tourism, minerals, bio-diversity, infrastructure development and service sectors, foreign employment has become the only viable option for the growing number of unemployed due to unfavorable socio-economic and political condition in the country. 

The political uncertainty, policy inconsistency and poor law and order situation have made potential investors reluctant to invest their capital, technology and management skills in Nepal. Until the process of writing new constitution is complete, they will maintain their distance. 

Remittance by Nepali migrant workers plays a significant role in national economy, and contributes 25 percent in national GDP. Workers send money despite their hardships in host countries, particularly in the Gulf region. Remittance also plays a major role in sustaining the national economy by reducing poverty, maintaining healthy balance of payment, increasing foreign currency reserve, and stabilizing foreign exchange rate and national capital formation. 

Given this situation, our rules and regulations on foreign employment must be effectively enforced. Manpower companies should be monitored to help aspirant migrant workers select right labor destinations and protect them from maltreatment. There is a further need to protect and promote Nepali migrant workers’ rights and welfare abroad through formal labor agreements with labor hosting countries. This is of paramount importance in the context of physical, mental and sexual harassment, unhealthy working environments and low salaries reported on a regular basis. 

The practice of appointing labor attaché on the basis of political affiliation, rather than language efficiency, academic excellence, negotiation skills, integrity and professionalism must end. The three-man Nepali missions in labor-hosting countries must be enlarged with additional manpower along with adequate financial, legal and other resources to tackle multifaceted problems faced by Nepali migrant workers. The government should take the initiative to extend its diplomatic wings by assessing the global scenario as well as political, economic and labor relations with other friendly countries. 

More importantly, politics has to be steadied soon to achieve sustainable, equitable and inclusive economic growth by accelerating socio-economic development and creating an investment-friendly environment. It will ultimately generate sustained employment opportunities for the energetic youth.

Publshed on: 24 December 2014 | Republica