Equidem Urges Nepal Government to Protect Rights of Migrant Workers

The international human rights organization Equidem has expressed its readiness to assist the Nepal government in protecting the rights of workers. Equidem emphasized the need for structural reforms in the labor and migration sectors and described the new government’s tenure as a historic opportunity. The organization has provided the new government with a 10-point recommendation, including amending the Foreign Employment Act, lifting restrictions on female workers, and strengthening bilateral labor agreements. March 12, Kathmandu.

Equidem highlighted that the newly formed cabinet must prioritize reforms in labor and migration sectors and expressed its willingness to engage in further discussions and support the government. It noted that despite the large number of Nepalese workers going abroad for employment and the significant contribution of remittances to the national economy, workers continue to face serious issues such as fraud, exploitation, unsafe working conditions, and unpaid wages.

According to Equidem, labor migration should be viewed not merely as an economic matter but as a human rights issue. The organization concluded that while legal and policy frameworks exist, their poor implementation places workers at risk. Key challenges identified include fraud in recruitment processes, contract changes, inadequate pre-departure training, irregularities in medical examinations, discriminatory restrictions on women, and the problematic ‘Kafala’ system in Gulf countries.

Equidem’s 10-point recommendations to the new government include amending the Foreign Employment Act to clearly guarantee workers’ rights, ratifying remaining International Labour Organization conventions, enhancing the effectiveness of bilateral labor agreements, strictly enforcing free visa-ticket policies, and lifting restrictions on female workers. Additional suggestions involve capacity building for foreign employment agencies, improving data management systems, conducting impartial investigations into worker deaths, and strengthening reintegration programs for returning workers. Equidem stressed the importance of treating migrant workers not only as economic contributors but as rights-bearing citizens and reaffirmed its commitment to collaborate with the government to achieve these reforms.