Ministry of Commerce And Supplies - Enhanced Integrated ...

N T I S201014. LABOUR SERVICESStrengths Temporary overseas employment has helpedgenerate domestic employment and foreign exchangeearnings and has been a major contributor to povertyreduction in Nepal Good quality of services provided by temporarymigrant Nepalese workers Availability of training centres to prepare migrantworkers before assignmentOpportunities Improve skills of migrant workers to increase theirpotential salaries Channel more remittances into productiveinvestments in Nepal Improve assistance to migrant workers throughlabour attachés in overseas diplomatic missions andbilateral agreements with host countries Migration can help build skills of workers (brain gain)WeaknessesMost temporary migrant workers are low-skilledRemittance are rarely invested in productiveenterprises in NepalMigration causes brain drainLack of a clear government policy on manpowercompaniesThreatsHigh dependency on economic situation andimmigration policies of receiving countriesActions Improve consular services to assist Nepalese workers abroad, e.g. through increased number ofrelevant officers in Nepalese embassies in major host countries. Launch training programmes in various districts with the involvement of manpower companies,i.e. on PPP. Establish additional training centres, if necessary. Monitor and supervise existing training institutes for quality. Strengthen skill development programmes. Launch basic awareness and information programmes in the districts at the time of issuingpassports. Increase awareness of the Foreign Employment Act 2007. Assess the need for a separate labour bureau for migrant workers and take necessary steps forthe establishment of such a bureau. Put in place a mechanism to look at the complaints made by the workers returning before theircontract period. Simplify bureaucratic procedures at government departments prior to departure and introduceone-stop payment of fees. Encourage and enable Nepalese manpower companies to visit the foreign companies concernedwhen problems arise. Improve channels for remitting earnings. Increase access of Nepalese women temporary migrants to overseas employment markets. Strengthen GoN’s ability to negotiate bilateral agreements with receiving countries and use thisas an opportunity to diversify destination markets.NEPAL TRADE INTEGRATION STRATEGY 2010BACKGROUND REPORT285