IOM is working on this multi-purpose evacuation center in partnership with the Changu Narayan Municipality in Bhaktapur District in the Kathmandu Valley.

The initiative is part of the IOM project titled ‘People to People Support for Building Community Resilience through Recovery and Reconstruction in Nepal (P2P)’ funded by the Royal Thai Government. 

The ground-breaking ceremony of this project was held on December 14, 2018 at Helmet Danda, Bhaktapur amid the presence of district officials and representatives from the Ministry of Urban Development and the Armed Forces, among others.

Thai Ambassador to Nepal Bhakavat Tanskul, IOM Chief of Mission Paul Norton and Changu Narayan Municipality Mayor Som Prasad Mishra were among key officials present at the event.

Developing Resilience

“Today’s ground-breaking ceremony is an auspicious moment for our two countries. It represents Thailand’s support to strengthen disaster risk reduction and empower Nepali people in (this) disaster-prone area… The funds for this project came from the Thai people under the Thai Heart for Nepal programme to help Nepal recover from the 2015 earthquake,” said Ambassador Bhakavat, speaking on the occasion.

Meanwhile, IOM Chief of Mission Paul Norton said that there is a need to develop resilient disaster recovery mechanism for Nepal owing to its high vulnerability to natural disasters.

Norton feels that the ongoing post-earthquake reconstruction work is an opportunity for the country to incorporate risk reduction measures while rebuilding damaged infrastructure to eliminate pre-existing vulnerabilities.

“This pre-designated, multi-hazard resistant community center will be used to host displaced people, giving priority to the most vulnerable, including pregnant women, children, people with special needs and the elderly,” Norton added.

“The center will also serve as a venue for community activities, including women’s and youth groups, community-based training, recreational pursuits, adult literacy classes, information dissemination and income generating activities,” IMO said in an official release.

Changu Narayan Municipality Mayor Som Prasad Mishra called the new evacuation centre as another stepping stone towards municipality’s commitment to develop a disaster-resilient community.

Mishra thanked Thailand and IOM for supporting the municipality’s disaster preparedness, risk reduction and resilience efforts. 

According to the official release, IOM is planning similar structures in seven other municipalities of quake-affected districts: Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Gorkha, Dhading, Rasuwa, Sindhupalchowk and Dolakha.

“Meanwhile, UNDP and other humanitarian agencies have agreed to provide water, sanitation and hygiene facilities,” the release added.

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The May Day, also called International Workers’ Day, was put forth by the international labor movement, social activists and other stakeholders working for the wellness of working population, globally.

Like many other nations, Nepal has also been celebrating the Labor Day since 1963, however, listed the day under public holidays only since 2007.

Addressing Nepali nationals on the 129^th Labor Day, President Bidya Devi Bhandari lauded the global Nepali working community for their contribution towards the establishment of the Federal Democratic Republic in Nepal.

She further added that the constitutional provision of making Nepal a socialism-oriented economy will benefit the Nepali working class.

The President also wished a conducive working environment, at home and abroad, for the global Nepali community by means of fair remuneration, effective human rights and overall social security.

Meanwhile, speaking on the occasion, Nepali Minister for Labor, Employment and Social Security Gokarna Raj Bista promised massive and more decent employment opportunities for Nepalis at home.

While stating that the Nepali Constitution is committed to successful protection of the rights of Nepali migrant labor, Bista said the government would coordinate and take necessary measures to ensure a decent, systematic and safe foreign employment for Nepali migrants, while also putting an end to child labor and guaranteeing social security.

On the occasion of the 129^th Labor Day, let’s take a glance at some of the key happenings and announcements pertaining to Nepali workforce, locally and globally, in the recent times:

New Year Decision

Assuring a happy new year for Nepali working class, the Government of Nepal announced plans for the revision of minimum wage limit for Nepali labor, as per the Labor Act 2017, effective from the Nepali New Year 2075 day on April 14, 2018.

The government’s decision was in line with the Labor Act 2017 that proposes hike in minimum wage limit for every two years.

“As wage revision for workers is envisioned by the Labor Act, we are prioritizing effective implementation of the act as soon as possible by bringing a Labor Guideline. We will soon hold discussions with labor unions and employers on revising the minimum wage for workers,” Secretary at the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MoLE) Laxman Mani Mainali had said in a statement.

Stating that the new Labor Act will benefit both the workers and employers, Bharat Raj Acharya, vice-chairman at the Employers’ Council of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry said, “A relevant revision on minimum wage for workers will be made after holding discussions with workers’ union and the government.”

The new Act, endorsed in the Nepali Parliament in August 2017, envisages a minimum wage of Rs 9,700 per month to workers. While ensuring uniformity in wages for jobs of similar nature and social security, the new law also mandates employers to provide insurance facility to the employees.

Status Report on Migrant Workers’ Contribution and Concerns

• Contribution to Nation’s GDP

Nepal ranks fourth in terms of remittance contribution to nation’s GDP, said the ‘Labor Migration for Employment – A Status Report for Nepal: 2015/16 – 2016/17’ by the Nepali Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security.

The report, also supported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), UN Migration Agency, International Labor Organization (ILO) and The Asia Foundation, placed Nepal in the top fourth position globally among the list of countries with large remittance contribution to GDP.

According to the Nepal Rastra Bank, the country received Rs 699 billion in remittances in the Fiscal Year 2016-17 with Rs 471 billion in the first eight months of the year (by mid-March).

The Department of Foreign Employment data shows a total of 246,324 fresh departures and an additional 172,424 Nepalis reentries to the destination countries during the same eight-month period.

• Concerns To be Addressed

The report also highlighted key concerns pertaining to recruitment and malpractices concerning the Nepali migrant labor.

As per the report, a total of 7,500 complaints involving high-level frauds and malpractices have been registered by the Nepali migrant labor community as part of their recruitment and employment abroad in the last three years period.

The report also released some alarming stats about the death of Nepali labor migrants in foreign destinations. The report recorded deaths of around 5, 892 Nepali migrant workers, 5,765 males and 127 females, in the last nine years in at least 28 foreign destinations.

Malaysia with 2,154 deaths topped the list, followed by Saudi Arabia (1,638), Qatar (1,203), the United Arab Emirates (427) and Kuwait (186), with significant deaths also recorded in other most-sought destinations such as Bahrain (77), Republic of Korea (77), Oman (47), Lebanon (20), and Afghanistan (19).

“To understand further, the causes of the migrant worker’s death, an in-depth investigation of the autopsies and medical records in the destination countries would require,” the report noted.

• Need of the Hour

“Sound data and accurate analysis are essential to formulate evidence-based policies and implement them effectively in Nepal, a country where over half of all households have at least one family member currently living abroad or living at home as a returnee,” says Paul Norton, Chief of Mission, IOM Nepal.

“This report is an important step for the government agencies and other stakeholders to work towards effective regulatory mechanisms to protect and promote migrants’ rights and well-being,” he added.

Stating that the report shed light on key areas for reforms in the foreign employment sector, Minister Bista said, “the Ministry will be working to make the foreign employment sector more transparent and result oriented, so the migrant workers feel the positive change in the sector immediately.”

On an End Note!

Marking the occasion of May Day on May 01, 2018, the Prime Minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli said the government is committed to protection and development of the Nepali working class who have been contributing to the country’s overall progress.

In an announcement, the Prime Minister also announced governmental preparations for minimal wage hike to guarantee systematic work under an appropriate wage system. 

Raising concern over large number of Nepali youth leaving to foreign destinations for career and employment, the Prime Minister informed that the government was working towards creating a labor-friendly environment in the country for utilizing the young human resources for overall development of the nation.

The government remains committed to the fundamental principles and treaties laid by the International Labor Organization.

Also Read: Nepal Employment Status

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In this regard, the Ministry of Health held discussions with the UN Migration Agency, International Organization for Migration (IOM), in Kathmandu on October 12, 2017.

Speaking on the matter, the IOM Nepal Chief of Mission Paul Norton said the Sustainable Development Goal 3.8 on universal health coverage cannot be achieved without addressing the health needs of migrants and refugees.

“This policy will provide an opportunity to promote a more coherent and integrated approach to heal, beyond the treatment of specific diseases for all populations, including migrants, irrespective of their legal and migratory status,” Norton added.

In its statement, IOM informed that the policy would address health concerns of the Nepali migrants at all stages of the migrant process while also protecting host communities from public health threats related to migration.

NMHP is part of the project, ‘Strengthening Government Capacity in the Development and Implementation of a National Strategic Action Plan on Migration and Health in Nepal,’ put forth by IOM in collaboration with the Nepali Health Ministry, and is funded by IOM Development Fund.

Migrants Key to Nepali Economy

According to IOM, Nepali migrants have made a major contribution towards the economic development of Nepal.

As per the Department of Foreign Employment, over 50 percent of all the Nepalis households currently have at least one migrant from their family living abroad or in Nepal as a returnee.

In terms of remittance-receiving countries, Nepal stands 23^rd in global ranking and 3^rd in terms of the contribution to GDP through remittances after Tajikistan and Kyrgyz Republic, IOM informed.

UN agencies, Nepali Government officials, development partners, academia, NGO, private sector firms and media are among those who attended the meeting.

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