Nepal, Romania sign MoU for cooperation

KATHMANDU, Oct 6: Nepal and Romania signed a memorandum of understanding in the Fields of Labour and Social Protection on 6 October 2023 at the Ministry of Labour and Social Solidarity of Romania.

Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security of Nepal Sharat Singh Bhandari and Minister for Labour and Social Solidarity of Romania Simona Bucura-Oprescu, signed the MoU on behalf of their respective governments.

The signing of the MoU was preceded by a bilateral meeting between the high-level Delegations, stated a press release issued by the Embassy of Nepal in Berlin, Germany. 

On the occasion, the two Ministers shared views, primarily, on the agenda of Nepal-Romania bilateral relations, labour migration, Nepal's commitment to legal migration, workers' welfare, dignity, security, and vocational training.

During the meeting, the two Ministers expressed happiness over the growing relations between the two countries in recent years and stated that the signing of the MoU would be the first step in the roadmap towards fair, ethical, and legal migration of Nepali workers to Romania. 

Minister Bhandari also expressed his willingness to collaborate with the friendly Government of Romania in all sectors of mutual benefit. He further stated that Nepal is aware of gender friendly recruitment approach and is ready to cooperate on this matter.

Bucura-Oprescu also assured the Nepali side that the Nepali workers working legally in Romania are entitled to equal rights as that of Romanian citizens. The Romanian side informed the Nepali delegation regarding the need for the Romanian labour market, especially in the fields of construction, services, hospitality and agriculture. 

As of now, 15,590 Nepali workers are employed in Romania which is the second largest among the foreign citizens from non-EU countries in Romania.

On 5 October 2023, the delegation led by the Minister held discussions with the private sector apex bodies of Romania on the issues being faced by Nepali workers and recruitment agencies/companies in Romania. Executives and representatives of 25 companies were present at the program organized by the Nepali delegation.

The Nepali delegation being led by the Minister includes Secretary of the Ministry of Labour; Employment and Social Security, Ram Kaji Khadka, Non-resident Ambassador of Nepal to Romania, and other officials from the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Romanian delegation led by the Minister includes high-level officials and heads of relevant Departments from the Ministry of Labour and Social Solidarity.

The Nepali delegation is scheduled to leave for Germany on 8 October 2023.