The newly-appointed Labor Minister Mohammad Istiyaq Roy has allegedly invited applications for the post of labor attaches to Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Israel, Oman and Kuwait without holding consultations with the MoFA. [break]
The appointments made by then labor minister Mohammad Aftab Aalam had had been scrapped last year following strong objection from the MoFA and directives from the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA).
The anti-graft body had directed the MoLTM to appoint eligible and capable candidates.
The MoLTM resumed the process after setting new criteria for appointing labor attaches from within the ministry. As per the new criteria, the prospective candidate must have secured at least 5.5 in IELTS or 70 in TOEFL or has a master´s degree in English Literature or studied in foreign university for two years in English medium.
As per the Labor Act 2007, the government can appoint labor attaches in countries where the number of Nepali workers in more than 5,000. Nepal has labor attaches in Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
MoFA officials say the process of appointing new attaches have been initiated without making a proper assessment of whether they are actually needed in the new destinations. “We have not been consulted before taking the decision,” said a senior official at the MoFA. He also said that hiring a few local staff in the country concerned would have sufficed to address the problems of Nepali laborers,” said senior official at the MoFA.
Minister Roy, however, claimed that though they had some differences with the MoFA, the issue has already been settled. “I had a meeting with foreign minister on Wednesday. The differences have been settled now,” he said.
According to Minister Roy, they have agreed to make driving license of four wheelers and experience of at least three months at concerned desk at the foreign ministry mandatory. “The term of a labor attaché has been set for two years,” he said.
Officials at MoFA have already held a series of internal meetings to protest the MoLTM´s decision to appoint labor attaches. They also held a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yadav on Friday to apprise him of their reservations on the issue.
“We are not against sending labor attaches. However, the practice of appointing labor attaches from outside the diplomatic service is an encroachment of MoFA´s jurisdiction,” said an official.
Discontent within the MoLTM
Employees serving within the MoLTM have also expressed discontent over the new criteria set for appointment of labor attaches.
An MoLTM official said the criteria have been set in such a way that it would help Minister Roy pick some of his close aides.
“What experience would an official serving at transport department have on labor issues?” asked the official. “It is certain that the dispute would be taken to the CIAA. The labor ministry´s move has not come with a good intention.”
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