| Project Detail |
Remittances sent home by over 4 million migrant workers have significantly contributed to the economic development of Nepal. The proposed project will enhance the capacities of the Government of Nepal and strengthen mechanisms to better protect the rights of workers abroad. There will be a special focus on women’s need and the adverse effects of climate change exacerbating the vulnerability of migrants. The project capitalises on Switzerland’s longstanding engagement on labour migration in Nepal.
Labour migration is a key feature of the Nepali economy, contributing to more than 20% of GDP. The top destinations for Nepali migrant workers are Malaysia and the Gulf States. While migration has the potential to contribute to the socio-economic development both in countries of origin and destination, concerns remain about the associated social and economic costs borne by the migrant workers. Migrant workers often suffer from human rights abuses, labour exploitation and financial distress due to accumulated debts throughout the journey. Women migrant workers are at a disproportionate risk of facing abuses in recruitment and employment. The Government of Nepal has strived to work towards ensuring safe labour migration for Nepali. However, gaps remain in terms of revision and implementation of policies, horizontal and vertical coordination amongst stakeholders, and gender-responsive policies. In addition, capacities of public service providers and service seekers are often limited, in terms of knowledge, language and digital literacy for example.
Objectives Migrants and their families improve their economic and social well-being and are better supported and protected by government institutions. |
