Inter-Ministry coordination to resolve migrant workers' problems: DPM Mahara

Kathmandu - Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara has said the problems faced by Nepalis in foreign employment would be resolved through effective the inter-ministry coordination. 

During a meeting of the International Relations and Labour Committee under the Legislature-Parliament on Thursday, DPM Mahara committed that government would solve the problems by making diplomatic missions aware and mobilizing them accordingly. 

According to him, a joint mechanism including the representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Home affairs, and Finance Ministry was formed to address the pressing problems in the foreign employment sector. 

Time has come to pay special attention to the Nepali labours in the Gulf countries, he said, adding that he was planning to address the problems by organizing a conference with the mission chiefs and labour attaches to the Gulf countries. 

He pointed out the need of representation from the Committees in such conference and concerned dialogues. Although the government cannot bring back the workers, they can be ensured safety and security there. 

Labour pacts would made with the receiving countries before sending workers there. Moreover, he shared that the labour desks in Nepal's foreign missions would be made more effective.
 
Pointing out the need of creating jobs within the country to address unemployment, he shared that as many as 200 closed industries were resumed when he was the Finance Minister. 

In the meeting, Home Minister Janardan Sharma said policy gaps should be checked to address foreign employment problems. 

Similarly, Minister for Labour and Employment, Farmullah Mansoor, said efforts were on to establish proper coordination among the ministries to make the foreign employment dignified and safe. 

On the occasion, Foreign Secretary Shankar Das Bairagi pointed out the need of amending Foreign Employment Act to punish those involved in the foreign employment-related frauds. 

He also stressed on proper coordination among the ministries.