Kathmandu: Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security, Sharat Singh Bhandari, has called upon all partner nations to commit to ensuring safe and decent migration during the Asia-GCC Dialogue on the Implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration (GCM). He emphasized the importance of treating migrants as partners in development.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Minister Bhandari highlighted Nepal’s commitment to protecting migrants’ human rights in accordance with international standards. He acknowledged that while Nepal has mandated social security coverage for outbound migrant workers, there is still a need for continuous contributions to social security schemes. He underscored the significance of migration and remittances to Nepal’s economy and socio-economic development.
The Minister pointed out the challenges faced by migrant workers, including exploitation and unsafe migration routes. He urged labour-hosting countries to adopt the GCM standards and treat migrants as development partners rather than just a labor force. Nepal is focused on ensuring the welfare of its migrant workers by establishing minimum benchmarks for those working abroad.
He announced plans to extend reintegration programs to all 753 local levels from the next fiscal year, emphasizing the need for clear pathways for returnees to integrate economically and socially. He also called on GCC countries to uphold minimum human rights standards, including access to healthcare and grievance mechanisms.
GCM Objective 18, which promotes investment in skill development and mutual recognition of skills, was highlighted by the Minister. He proposed an Asia-GCC skills recognition framework to facilitate labor mobility and reduce deskilling. Additionally, a zero-tolerance policy towards fraudulent agencies was emphasized, with the proposal to establish an Asia-GCC task force to regulate recruitment agencies and eliminate exploitative practices.
The Minister concluded by stating that Nepal views migration as a path to shared prosperity, seeing migrant workers as ambassadors of common values. He called for Asia-GCC cooperation to ensure safe, dignified, and empowering migration. Ministry Secretary Dr. Krishnahari Puskar also emphasized the need for wider cooperation, especially in light of regional issues such as the Iran-Israel unrest and its impact on migration.