Irrespective of the remaining tenure of the government, the MoLESS can implement a domestic employment policy aimed at utilising our workforce within the country with higher pay than the average salary in the Middle East
Recently, the Ministry of Labour, Employment, and Social Security (MoLESS) announced that it would facilitate free foreign employment for families of those injured and killed during the Gen-Z movement. In addition, the ministry has also offered to provide vocational training to those affected by the Gen-Z movement. These decisions may initially appear to favour the victims of the Gen-Z movement. However, a closer analysis of the message conveyed by these decisions reveals a blatant disregard for the core values and essence of the Gen-Z movement.
The Gen-Z youngsters had staged a peaceful protest on September 8 denouncing the state-sponsored corruption, persistent nepotism, and oligarchy. But the protest was hijacked by external intruders that ultimately resulted in devastation of public and state property worth billions. The current government, though formed extra-constitutionally through a soft coup-de-état, should have respected the spirit of the genuine Gen-Z youngsters and worked towards delivering good-governance.
The main responsibility of the government is to conduct elections on March 5 and hand over the power to the elected government. Instead, the government is moving forward like an elected government with a full tenure of five years. More than half the stipulated tenure of six months has already elapsed, but the dilemma regarding the election is still on.
The government formed on the banner of good governance has severely lagged in terms of delivery. The Butwal High Court's decision to release Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairman Rabi Lamichhane on bail, contradicting the Supreme Court's verdict, has raised suspicions and been widely linked to alleged government favouritism. RSP Vice-chairmen DP Aryal and Swarnim Wagle publicly admitted that they were in regular communication with Prime Minister Sushila Karki regarding Lamichhane's release.
It is no secret that political influence affects the judiciary; many sitting and former Supreme Court judges have acknowledged this reality. While the decision concerning Lamichhane may have been genuine, the circumstances and timing of the ruling have nonetheless opened space for serious intellectual debate.
With regard to the MoLESS decision to facilitate foreign employment for individuals affected by the Gen-Z movement, the government appears to be exploiting public sentiment rather than addressing the core issues. However, the 'free visa, free ticket' policy, intended for migrant workers seeking foreign employment, has been a government mandate for at least 10 years. Hence, even if the victims of the Gen-Z movement intend to embark on foreign employment, they should be allowed to do so without any cost as per this policy. Sadly, free visa, free ticket policy is only on paper.
On the contrary, foreign employment is not a solution for a developing country like Nepal. Nepal needs a sustainable source of revenue rather than short-term remittance. Nepali workers go mostly to Middle East countries, and the average salary that an unskilled worker earns is around 1000 Dirhams, equivalent to around 40,000 Nepali rupees. For such a meager wage, workers are forced to endure numerous hardships, including physical and mental exploitation and excessively long working hours. With an appropriate employment policy, this workforce can be retained in Nepal. Hence, irrespective of the remaining tenure of the government, the MoLESS can implement a domestic employment policy aimed at utilising our workforce within the country with higher pay than the average salary in the Middle East.
First and foremost, the import of agricultural, dairy, and meat products should be more strictly regulated, with priority given to local producers. The government should also provide training for individuals aspiring to work in these sectors and guarantee the purchase of locally produced goods. Moreover, closed or non-functional factories should be brought back into operation. With this approach a lot of jobs can be created within the country.
In addition, contemporary tourism initiatives should be implemented to attract high-spending tourists to Nepal, thereby strengthening the tourism industry. Above all, a comprehensive policy should be drafted to curb political influence in economic sectors. While the current government may not be able to fully implement these initiatives, a clear policy shift can be initiated within a few weeks. This would compel subsequent governments to adopt and uphold such policies in the national interest.
Amid adverse circumstances and for a very short period, MoLESS has received a new leadership in the form of newly-appointed Minister Rajendra Singh Bhandari. A former AIG of Nepal Police and founding director of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), Bhandari is undoubtedly one of the most competent and cleanliest police officers. No behavioural controversies and financial irregularities are associated with him. However, with the change of roles – from police officer to policy maker – minister Bhandari has a mammoth task ahead of him. A smallest of mistakes might ruin his self-made glorious career. Hence, minister Bhandari should work smartly and efficiently towards initiating employment policies aimed at the betterment of the people rather than prioritising populist foreign employment policies. For that, an efficient multidisciplinary team of advisors would be helpful rather than relying on conventional and outdated bureaucratic state machinery. If minister Bhandari is able to initiate a policy shift that prioritises contemporary domestic employment over dependence on foreign employment, his contribution will be remembered for a long time.
Dr Joshi is a senior scientist and independent opinion maker based in Germany
pushpa.joshi@gmail.com
