This research explores the impact of local employment opportunities on the migration decisions of Nepali women in Shikerbesi, Nuwakot district. Using semi-formal interviews with four women employed by a social enterprise and supplementary interviews with its management staff, the study evaluates the hypothesis that gainful employment acts as a deterrent to unsafe migration and human trafficking. The social enterprise, founded on this premise, provides an insightful case study into the relationship between employment and migration aspirations. Findings reveal that while employment may initially deter migration, for some participants, it serves only to delay their eventual decision to migrate. These results challenge the prevailing assumption that economic empowerment can, in isolation, curb human trafficking and unsafe migration, emphasising the need for more holistic interventions