Nepali Political Parties Unveil Manifestos Focusing on Foreign Employment and Youth Job Creation

Kathmandu. Among the four major parties, Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, CPN (Maoist Centre), and Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) have introduced manifestos centered on youth and incorporating labor and employment, in line with the spirit of the 'Genji' movement.

The parties have specifically included job creation and labor issues in their manifestos to retain Nepali youth working abroad within the country and to bring them back home. Youth both within the country and those abroad were eagerly awaiting what issues and policies the political parties would include regarding foreign employment and labor in their manifestos.

Even as the country heads to elections, there is a compelling situation where more than 2,500 youth leave Tribhuvan International Airport daily. Statistics show that over 400,000 Nepalis have gone abroad for employment in the last seven months (from Shrawan to Magh).

Data from the Department of Foreign Employment indicates that 405,500 Nepalis obtained work permits for foreign employment in seven months. In the same period last year, 478,800 people obtained work permits. While 65,800 Nepalis received work permits and went for foreign employment in Poush, this number decreased to 62,100 in Magh. The majority of those going for foreign employment have gone to Gulf countries.

The remittances sent by Nepalis working abroad sustain the country's economy. In the current fiscal year alone, remittances worth NPR 733.22 billion flowed in during the six months from Shrawan to Poush.

The manifestos of the main parties show a competition to stop youth from seeking employment abroad and to bring back those currently overseas. This time, the parties seem to be trying to link foreign employment not just to earning dollars, but also to voting rights, respect, and reintegration. However, all parties appear to share a common voice and agenda regarding foreign employment and labor issues. Political parties have pledged to end compulsory foreign employment. But the paths and perspectives they have chosen to achieve this goal appear different.

The parties have managed to present dreams through their manifestos, ranging from honoring returning youth at the airport to offering them internet data and loans. More than popular agendas like airport honors and distributing loans, the demand from voters seems to be a plan to create employment opportunities and a conducive environment within the country. However, the parties seem to have focused more on popular slogans in their manifestos.

Congress: Reducing Migration by 50 Percent and 'Gold Card'

The Nepali Congress has presented a detailed framework for managing foreign employment while creating respectable employment opportunities at home. The main goal of the Congress is to reduce the number of people going for foreign employment by 50 percent in the next five years.

Congress has pledged to welcome returning migrant workers with a 'Gold Card' and respectable reception right at the airport. It has announced special programs for the reintegration of returning youth.

With the slogan 'Work Abroad, Enterprise at Home,' Congress has proposed concessional loans up to NPR 5 million and tax exemptions for returning workers. Furthermore, it plans to include workers in the informal sector (gig economy, riders, domestic workers) in the Social Security Fund.

UML: 10 GB Data and 'Prime Natural Investor'

CPN-UML has adopted a policy linking labor and employment with technology. UML has made the unusual announcement of providing 10 GB of data free of charge monthly to youth aged 18 to 28. UML claims the objective is to create self-employment through digital platforms.

Parties' manifestos largely share common agendas regarding labor and foreign employment. Issues like social security, entrepreneurship, and ending the situation of outward migration are common agendas for almost all parties. Parties have committed to enrolling migrant workers and informal sector workers in the Social Security Fund.

However, the implementation of these very ambitious plans seems challenging. UML has promised to create 500,000 jobs annually and raise the minimum wage to NPR 25,000. It has announced recognizing Nepalis working abroad as 'Prime Natural Investors.'

Similarly, UML's policy includes issuing Diaspora Bonds to bring in their capital for the country's development. UML also has a distribution-oriented plan to deposit an additional NPR 5,000 in the bank accounts of workers going abroad for social security.

RSP: 'Brain Gain' and Global Labor Market

RSP has prioritized the gig economy and freelancing over traditional employment. It has put forward a policy to establish a 'Brain Gain' center to stop 'Brain Drain' (talent migration). RSP has introduced the concept of a Skill Passport, which will help give international recognition to the skills of Nepali workers.

Its plan includes making the training and health check-ups provided before going for foreign employment transparent, and establishing a 'National Employment Authority' to link remittances to productive sectors.

CPN (Maoist Centre): Voting Rights and Production-Oriented Employment

The CPN (Maoist Centre) has prominently raised the issue of granting voting rights to Nepalis working abroad. It has adopted a policy to make foreign employment voluntary rather than compulsory.

The CPN (Maoist Centre)'s manifesto states, 'Remittances received from foreign employment will not be limited to consumption but will be invested in productive sectors.' The commitment in CPN (Maoist Centre)'s manifesto includes creating 500,000 jobs annually and making at least 100,000 returnees entrepreneurs. The policy emphasizes strengthening labor diplomacy and focusing on labor agreements with destination countries.

Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP): Jobs with NPR 50,000-60,000 Salary at Home

The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), in its election manifesto named 'Sankalpa Patra' (Resolution Paper), has put forward plans ranging from abolishing trade unions affiliated with political parties to guaranteeing respectable salaries within the country to reform the labor and employment sector.

Parties have distributed dreams in their manifestos about transforming the remittance economy into a productive economy. However, the trend of relying on manpower agents and remittances after coming to power, despite years of rhetoric about ending compulsory foreign employment, does not seem likely to change.

RPP has mentioned in its manifesto the goal of freeing foreign employment from compulsion and creating an environment where people can earn salaries of NPR 50,000 to 60,000 at home.

It has also committed to bringing improvements to the economy and creating large employment opportunities through the development of electricity, tourism, agriculture, information technology, and the private sector. RPP's manifesto states, 'The situation where our youth have to go abroad for salaries of 50-60 thousand will end.'

To bring in the skills and capital of Nepalis living abroad and working in foreign employment, RPP has put forward the agenda of continuity of citizenship. It has proposed a plan to maintain the continuity of citizenship by descent under the slogan 'Once a Nepali, Always a Nepali.'

Ujyaalo Nepal Party: 1 Million Jobs and Startup Grants

Established after the 'Genji' movement, the Ujyaalo Nepal Party has brought the most ambitious plan. The party has mentioned in its manifesto a declaration to create an additional 1 million jobs annually.

Its declaration includes providing startup grants up to NPR 500,000 and low-interest loans to make youth entrepreneurial. It has adopted a policy of increasing the use of labor-intensive technology to create an environment for working domestically.

Same Issue, Different Modality

The manifestos of the parties largely share common agendas regarding labor and foreign employment. Issues like social security, entrepreneurship, and ending the situation of outward migration are common agendas for almost all parties. Parties have committed to enrolling migrant workers and informal sector workers in the Social Security Fund.

There is a consensus among all parties on providing concessional loans and grants to utilize the skills and capital of returning youth in domestic enterprises. Everyone has stated their intention to make foreign employment a matter of choice rather than compulsion.

Parties have distributed dreams in their manifestos about transforming the remittance economy into a productive economy. However, the trend of relying on manpower agents and remittances after coming to power, despite years of rhetoric about ending compulsory foreign employment, does not seem likely to change.