KATHMANDU: Ministry of Labour and Transport Management (MoLTM) has prepared a guideline for sending Nepali industrial trainees to Japan. MoLTM is consulting the stakeholders—MoLTM line agencies, outsourcing agencies and Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI)—to improve the guideline, Minister for Labour and Transport Management, Mohammad Aftab Alam, said. The guideline has put strict measures to regulate the process. “MoLTM wants to make Japan an example of foreign employment destination, so there are tough provisions for outsourcing agencies,” Minister Alam said. The guideline, called “Internship of Nepali Industrial Trainees to Japan”, says the outsourcing agencies are responsible for sending back the trainees once they complete training or internship in Japan. The Japan International Training Cooperation (JITCO) offers one-year trainee and two-year internship opportunities in Japan for industrial workers of the least developed countries. Trainees are hired in 122 sectors under JITCO. Nepali diplomatic mission of Tokyo will be responsible for coordination among JITCO, outsourcing agencies and recruiting industries. The guideline has proposed to make high-level panel for JITCO under the leadership of Minister for Labour and Transport Management. Other members of the panel are secretaries of Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Industries and MoLTM. The guideline will be released next week.

New rules for outsourcing agencies

• Will face punishment if they fail to bring back the intern or trainee they send to Japan. • Have to inform the Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE) if any intern violates the contract or starts working in other sectors. • Have to additional deposits in addition to the regular deposit of Rs 3 million. • Open liaison office in Japan

Who all are eligible

• Trainees should be between 18 and 40 years age. They must have at least two years of working knowledge in industries, hotels, agro-industries and cooperatives sectors. • Individuals should have basic knowledge of Japanese language, culture and legal provisions for a JITCO trainee.