Colombo Process: Collective leadership, shared responsibility stressed

KATHMANDU: Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security Gokarna Raj Bista has urged all member states in the Colombo Process for collective leadership and shared responsibility to achieve the Process' objectives.

Minister Bista said this as the Chair-in-Office of the Sixth Ministerial Consultation of the Colombo Process held here today.

Stating that safe and dignified labour migration was receiving the attention it deserved from the international community which is evidenced by the inclusion of international migration related elements in the SDGs and the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration to be adopted next month, he shared that Colombo Process recommendations have been incorporated in the draft GCM framework document.

"The Colombo Process marks its fifteenth year of existence since its inception in 2003. It is high time to reflect on the fundamental principles, relevance and effectiveness of the Process. We need to evaluate whether we have been able to fulfil our objectives. As we chart our way forward, these lessons should guide our activities so they are result-oriented with visible outcomes that make a difference to the migrant workers and their families," the Labour Minister insisted.

He stated, "The shared experience as CP member countries have exposed us to many successes and challenges in migration governance and the shared commitment to minimise the challenges brings us together."

"We have learnt that a few common challenges such as high recruitment costs, contract substitution, health and safety of migrants are better addressed collectively and deserve our attention," Minister Bista said, adding that in this context bilateral labour instruments that include clear provisions on basic terms of employment as per the international labour standards such as minimum wages, employer pays model, insurance and social security coverage would be required.