Three ministers hold joint meeting on foreign labour migration

KATHMANDU, MARCH 6: The Foreign Minister, Home Minister, and Labour Minister held a meeting in a coordinated effort to address issues faced by Nepali migrant workers in destination countries.

Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, and Minister for Labour, Employment, and Social Security Saratsingh Bhandari, along with secretaries from the three ministries, yesterday discussed strategies for the effective management of Nepal's foreign labor migration.

The meeting was convened by Foreign Minister Dr. Rana in light of concerns that the Foreign Ministry often lacks up-to-date information on the status and destinations of Nepali students and workers abroad but is required to intervene swiftly in times of crisis.

During the discussion, Dr. Rana highlighted the ongoing issue of Nepali women reaching Middle Eastern countries through illegal channels despite the government’s ban on domestic work migration. Citing Kuwait as an example, she revealed that approximately 48,000 Nepali women are currently working there, emphasizing the potential challenges in ensuring their safety and rescue during emergencies. She suggested that the government reconsider lifting the existing ban on women migrant workers.

Home Minister Lekhak proposed amending the Foreign Labour Act 2064 to address the evolving challenges in labor migration, while Labour Minister Bhandari underscored the growing importance of labor diplomacy.

The meeting also focused on the issues surrounding undocumented Nepali migrant workers, the difficulties in carrying out rescue operations during crises, and the limited resources available to Nepal’s diplomatic missions abroad.