Migrant rights experts and activists have asked the government to build a social security net for migrant workers. 

The government must establish social security schemes like unemployment benefit, medical insurance and pension, they said at an interaction organised by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, EU and UN Women today. 

Nepali migrant workers are unprotected at home and abroad, so we need to think more about social security, said coordinator of South Asia office of UN Women Saru Joshi. According to her, the government should support migrant workers in the migration process too. 

Currently, migrant workers have been taking loans from local loan sharks at an interest rate of as high as 60 per cent. The loans are a major financial burden for migrant workers, and has been identified as the major reason for workers staying back illegally in job destinations in search of more earnings. “Migrants need to work for at least six months to repay the loan,” said a participant. However, the cost involved for workers from Sri Lanka and Philippines to go abroad for foreign employment is low, as the government provides training and other financial facilities. 

In Sri Lanka, the cost involved is about a month’s earnings. “We provide foreign employment loans worth $500 (Rs 42,000) to migrant workers,” said manager of Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment Indira Pathinayake. 

The bureau provides training to domestic workers who want to join jobs in Gulf countries. “We offer a 21-day training to domestic workers bound for Israel and 15-day training for Gulf-bound women. It is mandatory.”

Sri Lanka offers soft loans to migrant workers to build houses. The limit is up to $3,000 (Rs 252,000), and must be repaid in five years. Though the interest is 16 per cent, workers only have to pay nine per cent. Remaining is paid by government, she added. 

Migration expert Dr Ganesh Gurung said that the government should think of social security issues of Nepali migrant workers.

Published on: 19 October 2012 | The Himalayan Times