Minister of Labor, Employment, and Social Security, Sharatsingh Bhandari, has unveiled plans to extend the Department of Foreign Employment's services to all seven provinces, aiming to improve accessibility and efficiency.
Decentralization of Services
Minister Bhandari highlighted the Ministry’s efforts to decentralize foreign employment services, making them accessible at the provincial level. This move is designed to ensure that the services currently offered by the central department are available across all provinces, minimizing the need for individuals to travel to the capital for assistance.
Local Access to Employment Information
The Minister also discussed initiatives to facilitate access to foreign employment information at the local level. The aim is to create a system where local authorities can provide up-to-date information on job demands abroad, improving transparency and ease of access for potential job seekers.
Addressing Challenges for Women in Domestic Work
Minister Bhandari acknowledged the difficulties faced by women due to restrictions on domestic work abroad. He expressed his commitment to removing these barriers and noted that the issue is under discussion with other key ministers. The Minister emphasized the need for further support from civil society to advocate for the removal of these restrictions.
Bilateral Labor Agreements
The Nepalese government is actively pursuing bilateral labor agreements with destination countries, following directives from the parliamentary committee. Minister Bhandari assured that the government is committed to ensuring that Nepalese workers are only sent to countries where their rights and dignity are respected.
Conclusion
The planned expansion of foreign employment services across all provinces is a significant step towards improving accessibility and support for Nepalese citizens seeking employment abroad. The government's focus on decentralization, along with its commitment to protecting workers' rights, underscores its dedication to enhancing the foreign employment sector in Nepal.
