Nepal has been elected deputy member on the International Labour Organization’s governing board in Geneva.

This is Nepal’s ascent to the ILO policy-making body in 50 years of the country joining the UN body, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Nepal intensified lobbying in Geneva and New York in the past several months to become the deputy member whose composition is 56 titular members--28 governments, 14 employers and 14 workers--and 66 deputy members that include 28 governments, 19 employers and 19 workers.

Nepal will represent South Asia in the body and contribute to policy making for various labour and migration related issues for three years, according to the ministry. The ILO governing body takes executive decisions in 10 sectors including budget formulation, control, agenda setting, appointment of director-general and oversight of the ILO central office.

Nepal, India, Iran, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka are in the ILO central-Asia sub-regional group. Two countries from this group are selected as deputy-members from the region but three nations--Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh--have announced their candidacies this time, ending the possibility of unopposed election.

Nepal has committed to ending all kinds of child labour from the country by 2025.

Published: 14 June 2017 | The Kathmandu Post