Government Directs Manpower Companies to Monitor Nepali Workers Abroad

Kathmandu. The government has taken steps after Nepali workers working abroad repeatedly complained about not receiving salaries and facilities as per the employment contract, lack of safe housing, and being forced to work against the contract.

The Department of Foreign Employment has issued a notice directing all licensed organizations (manpower) operating foreign employment businesses to immediately monitor the condition of the workers they have sent abroad.

This new arrangement has been implemented by the department in accordance with the directive received from the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers to effectively protect the rights, interests, safety, and labor rights of Nepali workers. Henceforth, every manpower company will be required to compulsorily and regularly monitor the condition of every individual and group (batch number) of workers sent for foreign employment.

Manpower companies will be required to collect information from at least 5 to 10 workers from each group on a monthly basis through direct contact regarding their salaries, housing, and work environment as per the contract. In case of conditions contrary to the employment contract found during the monitoring, the concerned manpower company must coordinate with the employer company immediately and ensure the implementation of the contract terms.

The details collected in this manner must be submitted to the Institutional Monitoring Branch of the Department of Foreign Employment every 3 months in the format specified by the department. The department has informed that the format related to this has already been sent through a letter dated Ashar 3.

Similarly, manpower companies must provide clear and understandable information to all workers going for foreign employment before departing abroad about the employment contract between the worker and the employer company, the laws of the concerned country, worker's facilities, labor rights, and the grievance registration process. If workers abroad face any problems or situations contrary to the contract, the manpower company must immediately listen and advance the resolution process.

Furthermore, the department has stated that the concerned manpower company will also be responsible for coordinating with the relevant bodies immediately in case of a situation requiring the rescue of Nepali workers and arranging for rescue and compensation.