KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 18
In the midst of the 16th World Social Forum in Kathmandu, the Nepal Trade Union Congress (NTUC) orchestrated a panel discussion themed 'Migration and Decent Employment'.
The discussion shed light on the formidable challenges confronting migrant workers globally.
NTUC President Yogendra Kumar Kunwar warmly welcomed panelists and expressed gratitude to delegates and participants from around the world.
During the session, panelists underscored the persistent challenges faced by migrant workers, emphasizing the pivotal role played by the South Asian Regional Trade Union Council (SARTUC) and other stakeholders in safeguarding their rights.
Laxman Basnet, General Secretary of SARTUC, highlighted enduring issues for migrant workers from South Asia, including high fees paid to agents and contracts of nominal value. He stressed the distant aspiration of migrant workers for decent jobs due to various factors and urged governments to ratify laws for their protection.
Manju Gurung, advisor and co-founder of Paurakhi Nepal, highlighted the plight of migrant women lacking crucial information about foreign employment and their rights. Gurung emphasized the need for proactive government measures to regulate agents and ensure the security of foreign employment opportunities.
Despite Article 8 of the Migration Act ostensibly granting equal rights to migrant workers, Gurung lamented the pervasive discrimination faced by women throughout the migration process, from mandatory pregnancy tests to denial of fundamental rights.
Shoya Yoshida, General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation-Asia Pacific (ITUC-AP), stressed the importance of international instruments like the ILO Convention of 1997 in addressing migrant workers' challenges.
Numan Ozcan, Director of the ILO Nepal Office, highlighted the exacerbating challenges for migrant workers due to protectionism and nationalism, advocating for bilateral and multilateral agreements to protect them.
Looking ahead, Basnet urged the United Nations to establish a labor governance mechanism to monitor and enforce labor laws for migrant workers' social security.
Echoing similar sentiments, Numan Ozcan emphasized the ILO's collaboration with governments to enhance missions abroad, while SARTUC President Harbhajan Singh Sidhu urged trade unions to adopt modern approaches in advocating for migrant workers' rights.
The panel discussion, hosted by Jeevan Baniya at the Nepal Tourism Board Hall, tackled critical issues pertinent to migrant workers' rights during the ongoing World Social Forum.
The 16th World Social Forum, occurring in Kathmandu from February 15th to 19th, serves as a platform to address pressing global issues and advocate for social justice.
