TOPICS: A boon or a curse?

The trend of foreign employment is increasing day by day in Nepal.

The number of job aspirants in foreign lands increased dramatically, especially after the restoration of democracy. The Labor Act, 1985 came as a boon for facilitating foreign employment opening up avenues for the private sector.

With the enactment of Foreign Employment Act, 1985 and arrangement of distributing passports to the potential migrant workers by the District Development Offices, accompanied by higher demand for labor created by the oil boom in the Gulf, the Nepalese started to migrate beyond India, particularly to the Gulf.

Drilling growth rate of population and rock-bottom rate of economic growth have put the youths in a vicious circle of poverty. Limited employment opportunities, economic hardships, deteriorating agricultural productivity, and political turmoil are some of the reasons behind this migration.

Foreign employment is acting as a boon for the Nepalese economy. Remittance has been one of the largest foreign currency income source. A recent study by the World Bank has ranked Nepal third in the world in terms of the contribution of remittances to the GDP.

The concerned government authorities in Nepal say some 1,500 Nepali individuals on an average leave for foreign destinations every day.

The ‘Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation of Nepal’, a NRB researched report, based on eight months’ data of 2015/16, shows that the remittances sent by Nepali workers working abroad has grown by 15.2 percent to Rs. 427.37 billion in the review period compared to a growth of 4 percent in the previous year.

Other benefits of remittances can be seen in the international market where Nepali workers are gaining a name and respect for their work. Remittances have assisted in the macro -economic stability of the country and also helped in over-all development.

An analysis of government policies and programs indicates a significant deficiency in protecting the rights of migrant workers and assuring their safe migration to the country of destination.

The government has promoted policies regarding foreign employment but at the same time paid less attention to the provision of domestic services and facilities.

Government of Nepal must step forward for the betterment of the migrant workers by assuring their safe migration to the country of destination.