KATHMANDU, JUNE 20

Sharat Singh Bhandari, Minister for Labour, Employment, and Social Security, stated today at the multi-stakeholder Policy Dialogue on Labour Migration, Gender, and Climate Change in the Context of Business and Human Rights Dialogue in the capital that the intersection of migration, business, and human rights remains critical in the era of globalised labour markets.

'While promoting responsible business practices, we also prioritise protecting basic human rights, particularly addressing discrimination and exploitation faced by Nepali workers abroad. 'We have zero tolerance for such exploitation,' he stated.

'Our women and men make significant contributions to the development of labour-receiving countries. We have urged these countries to adhere to the principles of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration. Labour migration is about more than just jobs; it's about dignity and rights.

As Minister of Labour, he stated that he has made diplomatic efforts to establish a clear standard for fair and just treatment of our workers abroad.

'This week, MoLESS hosted a meeting to discuss how to better protect our citizens in conflict zones. Many Nepalis are taking shelter in bomb bunkers, sleepless and anxious. If tensions escalate, we must be ready for emergency evacuations,' he said.

Minister Bhandari stated that the ministry is taking a 'whole-of-government' approach and expanding the Shram Sansar mobile application to locate and support our citizens abroad. Many of our citizens working legally abroad are still considered 'illegal'. 'There are hundreds of thousands in the GCC, Malaysia, and even Europe. We have begun efforts to legalise their status, with a special emphasis on testing new protections for female migrant workers. However, our approach remains firmly based on ethical and orderly practices,' he said.

He emphasised the need to revise the Foreign Employment Act to address today's challenges. 'We cannot uphold outdated or unjust provisions. Transparency and fairness must be at the heart of our reforms,' he stated.

'Furthermore, the issue of domestic workers, particularly housemaids, has received significant attention. While some see it through the lens of trafficking, others emphasise human rights and personal choice. Regardless of their legal status, thousands of Nepali women work in the GCC in precarious conditions. I am fully committed to incorporating them into our support framework.'

As per minister Bhandari, Remittances remain a cornerstone of Nepal's economy. However, our labour market has weakened, and key productive sectors have declined. It's time to take decisive action to boost productivity and revive domestic economic activity.

'We must learn from the experiences of South Korea in the 1960s, Bangladesh's garment industry transformation, and India's reverse migration strategies,' he emphasised.