Govt vows to end labor exploitation abroad

KATHMANDU: Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security Rajendra Singh Bhandari has stated that Nepali workers should not be sent abroad for wages below international standards.

Speaking at a program organized by the ministry on the 25th International Migration Management and Reintegration, Minister Bhandari emphasized that only skilled and qualified workers should be sent to the international labor market, ensuring fair pay and guaranteed protection.

He noted that over 17.9 million labor migrants are currently working worldwide, while Nepal annually sends around 839,000 workers abroad for employment.

Approximately 500,000 of these are first-time migrants, a number expected to grow further.

Minister Bhandari acknowledged that Nepal is compelled to send workers abroad to seek employment opportunities and contribute to national development, as there are limited possibilities to absorb the workforce domestically.

e urged the government and stakeholders to develop skilled and qualified manpower based on market demand and local employment opportunities.

He stressed that only by sending competent and skilled Nepali workers abroad can labor exploitation be minimized.

The minister also highlighted issues of fraud and mistreatment by manpower agencies and intermediaries targeting workers going abroad.

To tackle these issues, the ministry is preparing a special mechanism to take strict action against those involved in cheating and mistreating migrant workers.

In collaboration with the Central Investigation Bureau of the Nepal Police, a targeted campaign will be launched to hold perpetrators accountable.