Kathmandu: Minister for Labor, Employment and Social Security Sharat Singh Bhandari has emphasized the necessity of respecting workers from Nepal who are employed in various countries. Speaking at the ‘Hami App Launching and Immigration Conference’ organized by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Minister Bhandari underscored the significant contributions of Nepali workers to the development of their host countries and highlighted the importance of ensuring dignified labor and safe migration.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Minister Bhandari pointed out that a staggering 14,000 Nepalis have lost their lives in foreign employment over the past 16 years. He emphasized the importance of addressing the lack of adequate health screenings for those going abroad for work. Drawing insights from the Labour Conference in Geneva, he stressed the need to learn from Korea’s experience in the 1960s and adopt similar exemplary actions in the labor sector.
Minister Bhandari also mentioned the government’s implementation of the ‘Shram Sansar’ online platform to provide accurate labor-related information. He expressed optimism that in a decade, the reliance on foreign employment would diminish for Nepalis. Highlighting the appeal of Korea as a labor destination, he stressed the importance of managing this attraction to ensure it remains dignified.
The ‘Hami App’, according to Minister Bhandari, is a crucial tool for safeguarding the rights of Nepali workers and systematizing the migration process. The government is dedicated to developing policies that guarantee safe migration and facilitate successful reintegration.
Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Nepal, Park Tae-young, remarked on the 51st anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Korea, highlighting the ‘Hami App’ as a symbol of their cooperative spirit. He emphasized the ongoing partnership between the two nations in the area of labor migration.
The ‘Hami App’ is part of KOICA’s ‘Phased Strengthening of the Support System for the Stable Reintegration of Migrant Workers Returning to Nepal’ project, initiated in 2022. It provides Nepali workers in Korea with vital information and resources across different phases of migration, including financial literacy, life safety training, and entrepreneurship opportunities. The app aims to establish a sustainable model for enhancing workers’ rights.