The new and improved provision is a landmark in foreign employment. It aims to end the exploitation of migrant workers. One of the key objectives in the foreign employment sector, set out by the Three Year Plan (2013/2014-2015/2016) is to make foreign employment safe, dignified and systematic. The bold decision of free visa and free ticket is in line with this objective. If implemented, it will protect the rights of workers and create an investment-friendly environment.Prior to this provision, over 80 percent of migrant workers had to pay at least Rs 70,000 to recruiting agencies. The government had fixed Rs 70,000 in service charge for workers going to the Gulf countries and Rs 80,000 for those going to Malaysia. Some 3.5 million Nepali migrant workers are employed in these seven countries.
Would-be migrant workers and other Nepalis have wholeheartedly welcomed the new decision, but recruiting agencies or manpower agencies are against it. Irate agencies have started an indefinite strike, whereas the Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE) is bent on implementing the provision, for it is great boost to thousands of aspiring workers thinking of applying for foreign employment. More than 80 percent migrant workers, to make up for the costs, have to mortgage whatever land and property they own. They take out loan at sky-high rates. From the time they first think about going abroad up until the time they land at the respective country, the minds of migrant workers is occupied by financial concerns.
They are worried about paying recruiting agencies and paying off the loans taken out against their lands, their homes and the ornaments of their spouses. The provision of free visa and tickets will be a huge relief for these migrant workers.
Though the government allows migrant workers to go to 110 countries for employment, it has signed formal labor agreements (MoU) with only five: South Korea, Japan, Qatar, UAE and Bahrain. Formal agreements are important to safeguard the rights of migrant workers in host countries. The Gulf region, primarily UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Lebanon and Israel, has become major destinations for Nepali migrant workers, yet there are no formal agreements.
According to recent government statistics, the economically active population (those aged 15-59 years) comprises 56.96 percent of population. Nearly 30 percent of economically active are unemployed or underemployed and more than 450,000 people enter the labor market every year. Over three million Nepali migrants are employed as construction workers, carpenters, watchmen, domestic helpers, housemaids, gardeners, salesmen, security guards, sweepers, toilet cleaners, shepherds and electricians in major labor-receiving countries. Malaysia is their most favorite destination. Lack of adequate employment opportunities back home has resulted in a mass exodus, with over 1,500 young and energetic people leaving the country in search of better employment, better pays and perks every single day.
The mismatch between demand and supply of labor, rising unemployment and political instability are driving young skilled and semi-skilled Nepali workers to Gulf countries and Malaysia.
Nepali migrant workers in foreign soil confront problems like physical, mental and sexual harassment, low pay and perks, confiscation of passport upon arrival, unhealthy working conditions, and no leaves and insurance. Lack of awareness, unethical behavior of fake and fraudulent manpower companies, ineffective labor rules and regulations and lack of formal labor agreements are major causes of their distress.
However, over time, the government has undertaken substantial initiatives. The restructuring of the Department of Foreign Employment, fixation of minimum wages, provision of rescue and relief for migrant workers in distress and provision of Labor Attaches in destination countries are some such examples.
It's baseless to argue that the new provision is against manpower agencies. At a time Nepal is reeling under extreme poverty and having a tough time coming to terms with the Great Earthquake, looking to make a profit from the poor, the unemployed and the earthquake victims is not justifiable. What matters most in business is to earn the trust and confidence of clients and to sustain the business over the long run. And the new provision is the litmus test for manpower agencies to prove they care about their clients. Doing so will make the business of manpower agencies sustainable.
The fear is that the decision may not go into effect. Manpower agencies need to be rigorously monitored so that they work according to the new provisions.
It's high time the manpower agencies welcomed free visa and ticket. If they go against the decision, they go against their clients. Rather they should help the government make foreign employment sector safe, dignified and systematic.
The author is a planning officer at National Planning Commission
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