KATHMANDU, Dec 12: Two new initiatives leveraging digital technologies have been launched in support of migrants and their families. The pardesi.org.np website, serving as an integrated platform for safe migration information in Nepal, and training resources for migrants regarding the safe, wise, and private usage of digital tech (in the six main languages of Nepal), were unveiled during a special function held on Sunday.

Over 700,000 Nepali (averaging 2,000 every day) obtained labor permits from the Department of Foreign Employment to work abroad in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2019/20. This illustrates a trend of foreign migration from Nepal due to limitations in employment within the country.

Most Nepali youth seeking employment abroad typically travel to Gulf countries and Malaysia. In recent years, there has been a gradual increase in the number of people seeking employment from Nepal in Eastern European countries. While large numbers go abroad for employment, many face exploitation due to a lack of accurate information. Challenges include a dearth of information about the foreign employment process, details about the destination country, and inadequate knowledge about training providers.

Similarly, other issues related to foreign employment include financial literacy, remittance utilization, welfare arrangements, health facilities in the destination country, climate, culture, and traffic rules.

The pardesi.org.np serves as a single portal through which migrants can access accurate and up-to-date information about all these critical issues. It provides free and easy access to various existing resources offered by institutions such as the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, its subordinate bodies, national and international NGOs, trade unions, and other civil society organizations.

Many migrants also face exploitation and misinformation through their use of digital technologies. A series of training resources on the safe, wise, and private use of digital tech have therefore been launched. These resources are freely available in Nepali, Maithili, Bhojpuri, Tharu, Tamang, and Nepal Bhasa (Newar), and can be adapted and developed to suit different contexts. They are designed to equip migrants and their families with the knowledge needed to use their mobile phones and other devices effectively, maximizing benefits while minimizing potential pitfalls.

These resources are the result of collaboration between Nepali migrant organizations, including NNSM, POURAKHI, AMKAS, and PNCC, and the local tech sector, including the digital education NGO AuraED and NIC, as well as support from other entities such as NISER (Country Lead for MIDEQ), Helvetas SaMi, Desh Paradesh, the UNESCO Office in Kathmandu, Ujyaalo, GSMA, IME, and Hamro Patro.

The initiative was conceived and facilitated by the Digital Technologies and Migration work package (WP9) of the MIDEQ Project funded by the UKRI Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF). WP9 is led by Professor G. "Hari" Harindranath and Professor Tim Unwin CMG, with the support of Dr. Maria Rosa Lorini, based at the ICT4D Collective (Royal Holloway, University of London, UK).

As the portal itself is an evolving resource, it will continue to be updated and will contain more information in the future, according to the press statement after the launch of the initiatives. "We welcome the support of government and non-governmental organizations, trade unions, civil society, and media organizations working in this field to take this opportunity to share their information through the portal and use these valuable training resources to ensure that migration is a safer and better opportunity for Nepali citizens in the future," said the press statement.

 
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