Stakeholders Urge Integrated System for Migrant Worker Services in Foreign Employment

Stakeholders have suggested that all services for workers going for foreign employment should be distributed through an integrated system. They believe that implementing a one-stop system for services like medical check-ups, health insurance, and the Social Security Fund will save workers time and money.

The views were exchanged between representatives from the private sector, government, recruitment agencies, and various organizations during a discussion titled 'Private Sector Perspectives on Ease of Access for Workers in Foreign Employment,' organized by the National Network for Safe Migration in Kathmandu on Monday.

At the discussion, Sujit Prasad Sah, Assistant Manager at National Life Insurance Company, stated that although mandatory insurance for workers going abroad is required, it has not been fully implemented due to a lack of adequate information provided to the workers. He mentioned the challenge that even when recruitment agencies arrange insurance, workers remain unaware of its benefits and drawbacks.

Bishnu Gopal Gadtoula, Board Member of the National Professional Skill Training Academy, noted that the orientation training system for workers going for foreign employment started in 2060 BS, and emphasized the necessity of updating the curriculum to be contemporary in the current scenario. He informed that despite pressure repeatedly put on the government to revise the curriculum, and a shortage of trainers, efforts are being made to make the training more effective than before.

Nipon Sherchan, a representative from the Nepal Medical Entrepreneurs Association, stated that due to heat-related issues for workers heading to Gulf countries, certain crucial tests have become mandatory. He clarified that this has made the 38 types of health examination standards compulsory.

Vijaya Shrestha, a representative from the Migrant Women Workers Group, stated that if mandatory services like insurance and the Social Security Fund, enforced by the government, could be implemented through a single system, workers would not have to face complicated procedures. She suggested that digitizing the system is essential for workers to easily access services.

Rajan Prasad Shrestha, former Executive Director of the Foreign Employment Board Secretariat, stressed the need to implement an integrated service system to make foreign employment worker-friendly and shared information that local governments have begun the process of formulating labor employment policies.

Chandani Rana, Vice-President of the Network, stated that solidarity among the government, the private sector, and civil society is essential to make the foreign employment business safe, dignified, and respectable.