KATHMANDU, Feb 19: The Embassy of Canada to Nepal and the International Labour Organization (ILO) Nepal co-hosted a dialogue on advancing decent work and gender equality in Nepal’s care economy on Tuesday.
The event, held in Kathmandu, brought together government officials, development agencies, civil society, and private sector representatives to discuss strategies for improving conditions in the care sector.ILO Nepal Director Numan Özcan emphasized the need for stronger policies and investment in care services. He said, “Care work is the silent force that we often don’t realize, but it keeps our societies and economies running. It is a shared responsibility for all governments, employers, and workers to promote international labor standards, invest in research, expand care services, and close financing gaps. We stand ready to support Nepal’s journey in building a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable care economy.”
A joint study, ‘Public Investments in Nepal’s Care Economy: An Estimation of Care Deficit, Investment Costs, and Economic Returns in the Education and Health Sector’ by ILO, UN Women, and Nepal’s National Planning Commission, estimated that investing NPR 272.2 billion in education and health care could create 1.38 million jobs, 60% of which would be filled by women.
ILO urged to launch result-oriented projects in Nepal
Government representatives highlighted Nepal’s efforts to develop an integrated care policy under the 16th National Development Plan. Canadian First Secretary Ian Trites reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to supporting Nepal’s care economy.
Dr Prakash Kumar Shrestha from Nepal’s National Planning Commission highlighted the Government of Nepal’s initiatives on developing an integrated national care policy. He further shared that Nepal, as a pathfinder country of the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions, has care as one of the priority sectors.
The discussion stressed the importance of improving wages, social protection, and skill development for care workers.
In June 2024, the International Labour Conference (ILC) adopted a resolution concerning decent work and the care economy, further refining the definition of care work. An action plan for implementing the resolution’s conclusions is currently being discussed globally.
