The third meeting of the Nepal-United Arab Emirates (UAE) Joint Working Committee has agreed to automatically renew the labour agreement between the two countries for the next four years.

During today's meeting organised by the Ministry of Labour, Employment, and Social Security (MoLESS), both sides agreed to renew the agreement for four years, contingent upon relevant revised bilateral labour pact after a comprehensive review of the agreement's implementation and progress from the second meeting.

Rajiv Pokharel, joint secretary at the ministry and representative of Nepal's JWC, proposed a comprehensive set of proposals for discussion on a wide range of topics. These included re-evaluation of the bilateral understanding, the provision of updated information on labour laws pertaining to Nepal government policies regarding labour and foreign employment, ensuring the minimum wage security for Nepali workers in the UAE, implementing effective procedures for repatriating the bodies of deceased Nepali workers, documenting information concerning Nepali workers currently incarcerated or detained, developing a comprehensive record of Nepali workers in the UAE, including those who have received amnesty, fostering bilateral cooperation to enhance the skill levels of Nepali workers, and establishing a transparent and dignified recruitment process.

Meanwhile, Assistant Undersecretary at Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation Abdulla Alnualml, representing the UAE government, responded to the proposals presented by the government of Nepal. He conveyed a positive stance on behalf of his task force and the ministry while providing an overview of the labour market situation in the UAE to address the aforementioned proposals.

Alnuaimni informed that the UAE government has expressed the desire to enhance and streamline the recruitment process for domestic workers from Nepal.

Likewise, Kewal Prasad Bhandari, secretary at the MoLESS, highlighted the significant role of both governments in ensuring secure, organised, and dignified employment opportunities for Nepali workers in the UAE.

Furthermore, he emphasised that both governments expressed their commitment to strengthen bilateral cooperation in order to establish a transparent and dignified recruitment process for foreign employment.

Nepal and the UAE had inked the bilateral labour agreement on June 14, 2019 ensuring that UAE-based employers will bear all the costs related to recruitment, employment and residency of Nepali workers in the Gulf nation. The UAE is the one major labour destination of Nepali migrant workers, with more than 50,000 Nepali workers migrating to the UAE annually for jobs.

Published on: 15 June 2023 | The Himalayan Times