Kathmandu, April 1

With an aim to instantly address the issues related to migrant workers based in various countries, the government has established a call centre in Kathmandu. The centre under the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security will be well equipped with modern telecommunication technologies.

Speaking at a programme to launch the centre today, Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security Gokarna Bista, stated that the centre will also facilitate workers who need immediate help during the initial process when they are applying for foreign jobs. “The centre will deal with queries and complaints and provide suggestions to workers both in Nepal and in destination countries.”

The centre will coordinate and help resolve any complaint that has been lodged at the Department of Foreign Employment, Foreign Employment Promotion Board, Prime Minister Employment Programme or the Social Security Fund.

Workers can file their complaints via telephone or internet-based communications including email, Messenger, Viber and Imo, according to the ministry. They can access the service at +97715970008. Likewise, workers within Nepal can dial 1141 or toll free number 16600150005 to avail the service.

As per Minister Bista, the centre will coordinate and help resolve problems related to instances when migrant workers are stranded in the labour destination or when they die in the workplace. The centre will also provide assistance to workers who have been jailed on fake charges. Bista also mentioned that workers who are employed in countries that the government has restricted for foreign employment will also be able to file complaints at the call centre.

The ministry said that at present Nepal Telecom users will be able to connect and access the service of the centre for free and users of Ncell and other carriers will also soon be provided free services. The centre will be open every day for 13 hours from 7am.

Earlier, the government had established a help desk at the Department of Foreign Employment to support Nepali migrant workers in foreign destinations. However, it was largely ineffective.