Nepal ready for safe Labor Migration Cooperation: Labor Secretary
Secretary Pushkar noted that over 1.5 million Nepali migrant workers in Gulf countries contribute nearly 25 percent of Nepal’s Gross Domestic Product through remittances.
KATHMANDU: Dr. Krishnahari Pushkar, Secretary at the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, highlighted the urgent need for a collective commitment to implementing the Global Compact for Migration in light of recent tensions between Iran and Israel and the resulting migration challenges.
Speaking at the opening session of the Asia Gulf Cooperation Countries and Asia (GCC) Dialogue on safe, dignified, and orderly migration, Secretary Pushkar noted that over 1.5 million Nepali migrant workers in Gulf countries contribute nearly 25 percent of Nepal’s Gross Domestic Product through remittances.
He stressed that future priorities must focus on evidence-based policy dialogue, mutual recognition of skills, social security portability, and the development of effective grievance redress mechanisms for migrant workers.
Secretary Pushkar reaffirmed Nepal’s readiness to collaborate with all partners to build a safe, dignified, and regular migration system. “We must not only expand regular migration pathways but also enhance them with safety, equality, and sustainability. Migration should be a choice, not a compulsion. Effective migration management is crucial to achieving sustainable development goals, dignified employment, reducing inequality, and global partnerships,” he said.
Recalling Nepal’s active participation in regional labor migration platforms like the Colombo Process and the Abu Dhabi Dialogue, he emphasized the need to prioritize secure labor migration and the development of complaint resolution systems for migrant workers.
