State responsible for rescuing migrant workers in need

Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security, Sher Bahadur Kunwar, has said it is the State's responsibility to rescue and rehabilitate the workers facing difficulty in various labor destinations.

Addressing a three-day exhibition on fraud in wages of the migrant workers and their social security, Minister Kunwar assured that the State must take responsibility for the migrant workers irrespective of the ways they adopt to go abroad.

"The law does not know the immigrant workers who reach destination countries without legal documents as a visa," he said, adding the State however needs to recognize them. He argued that Nepal had raised the issues of Nepali migrant workers in the international and regional forums. Every country should draw the attention of destination countries to create an atmosphere favorable for the migrant workers, he viewed.

According to the Minister, bilateral agreements were made with various countries as labor destinations so that Nepali workers will get proper wages and incentives. He however shared that Nepali workers vying for foreign employment are cheated even before leaving the country. So, better awareness among such people on the legal provision is imperative.

On the occasion, General Secretary of the South Asia Regional Trade Union Council, Laxman Basnet, stressed the need for ensuring social security to the migrant workers while making bilateral agreements between the sending and receiving countries.

Programme Director at the International Labour Organization, Neha Chaudhari, said although it was difficult to ensure social security to the migrant workers, it must be addressed as it is provided as fundamental rights of citizens in Nepal's constitution.

Moreover, Director at the Department of Foreign Employment, Dambar Sunuwar, said all sectors should play constructive roles to make foreign employment safe and dignified.

The exhibition will continue for three days. The experiences of the people facing exploitation in remuneration are showcased in the exhibition.