Kathmandu, October 15:

Ramesh Lekhak, minister of state for labour and transport management, speaking at a plenary session of third NRN Global meet, asked NRNs to help explore new labour markets and sig-n bilateral labour pacts with the host countries.

Lauding the role of NRNs, he said that government is committed in making foreign employment accessible to the needy. He further underscored that all should join hands in making fore-ign employment sector pro-perly managed, more transparent and respectable.

Lekhak requested NRNs to impart their knowledge and skills on pre-departure training and orientation for job seekers in foreign land. Referring to recently promulgated Foreign Employment Act as a milestone, he urged them to help in formulating practical and effective regulations.

Making a presentation on ‘Foreign Employment: Pains and Gains’, Deepak Khadka, NRNA-ICC member, highlighted various positive outcomes of foreign employment that has had helped the country’s economic transformation.

Khadka further said that many challenges including lack of pre-departure information, orientation, hefty initial investment, high rate of accident, protection and welfare measures, have to be addressed to make it safe and fruitful.

While presenting paper on foreign employment, L P Sawa Limbu, president of Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies said, “Although it is one of the most important sectors that directly contributes to the national economy, foreign employment agencies are yet to get a due recognition for their contribution.”

Sagar Nepal, NRNA vice-president in Middle East, and Hit Man Gurung, NRNA-ICC member also made presentations on the occasion.