Kathmandu, May 7
The KP Oli government is amending relevant regulations which, if implemented fully, will go a long way in protecting the rights of migrant Nepali workers.
As per the amendment, a Nepali migrant worker should get a minimum monthly salary of Rs 30,000.
Most of the outbound Nepali workers are women. As of now, minimum monthly salary of Nepali migrant workers is $250 (around 26,000 rupees).
Govinda Mani Bhurtel, spokesperson for the Ministry of Labour and Employment, informed that they have increased the minimum monthly salary by $50. The new provision will take effect once the government issues new labour permits to domestic workers, Bhurtel said. He said: We will not send Nepali workers abroad in the event of non-implementation of minimum salary and other provisions.
Through amended regulations, the government is also preparing to make manpower agencies concerned fully responsible towards Nepali workers. This comes at a time when human smuggling has been going on unabated in the name of sending Nepali workers abroad for jobs.
As per the regulations, manpower agencies will have to compensate Nepali workers if they return home unable to withstand labour and other forms of exploitation. They will have to provide compensation and provide for expenses associated with their rescue.
As per the existing provision, a manpower agency has to deposit at the Nepali embassy concerned $1,000 for every migrant worker that it sends. The amended regulation has kept this provision intact. Bhurtel said the embassies concerned use this money to pay victimised workers.
The government is preparing to sign agreements with a number of countries like Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Lebanon for sending Nepali domestic workers to these countries.
