Ministry Prepares to Automate Re-employment Permit Process, Expand Labor Agreements

Kathmandu. The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security is preparing to fully automate the process of re-employment permits for foreign employment. 

At a meeting of the Ministry-level Development Problem Resolution Committee, Secretary Dr. Deepak Kafle informed that proposals for improving the policy arrangements for re-employment permits have been received and will be finalized legally and technically within a day or two. 

The ministry has also initiated the process of signing bilateral labor agreements with seven new countries to further systematize foreign employment, for which necessary correspondence has been made from Nepal's side. The ministry has started conducting 'labor audits' in about 100 business firms, mainly monitoring the health and safety conditions of workers. 

In addition, preparations are underway to amend five laws. Among them, suggestions received for amending the 'Child Labour Prohibition Act' have been integrated and finalized, while a committee has been formed to draft four other laws. The ministry has also stated that the work of modifying all 753 employment service centers at the local level to develop them as 'Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship Promotion Centers' is in the final stage. 

At the meeting, Secretary Kafle directed to intensify the target of registering 50 more institutions in the Social Security Fund, enrolling 10,000 workers, and providing skills-based training to 800 people. He mentioned that there is a plan to address 5,000 complaints through the 'Shrimadhan Call Center' and promote employment for 15,000 people through local levels. 

Secretary Kafle said, 'The ministry has received policy reform proposals regarding fully automating re-employment permits, and we will look into it and resolve it soon.' 

Regarding the ministry's financial discipline, Secretary Kafle expressed concern over the accumulated arrears of approximately 103 crore rupees. Stating that arrears of 80 crore rupees in a single body and pending payments exceeding one crore rupees are serious issues, he warned the responsible officials to be accountable. 

Similarly, a proposal has been made to the National Development Problem Resolution Committee to establish a separate national fund for the rescue of Nepalis who have gone for foreign employment without labor approval and are in trouble. The ministry has also started the work of organizational restructuring by requesting details for filling vacant positions and nominating office bearers to boards and committees.