The government has invited applications from manpower agencies in order to select them as agents for sending Nepali trainee workers to Japan.
However, intellectuals are concerned that the Japan job aspirants might end up paying more than required if manpower agencies are given the task. "The government itself should send trainee workers to Japan and save them from getting cheated," said an economist on condition of anonymity. He added that the governmment's decision would create controversy similar to the one for South Korean jobs before the Nepal and South Korean governments sealed a deal on sending Nepali migrant workers to South Korea. At present, Korean job-seekers have to spend around Rs 70,000 each. Earlier, they had to pay a hefty sum of Rs 5 to 6 lakh.
"The government has given February 4 as the deadline for application," said Mohan Krishna Sapkota, director general of the Department of Foreign Employment (DoEF). He added that it has already started the long-stalled process of sending Nepali trainee workers to Japan. "After February 4, the department wil start the process of selecting agencies," he said.
The government has set some criteria, such as the agency should have the largest network nationwide and also own its office building for getting selected as the agent. Meanwhile, those who won't be selected can work as sub-agents.
Japan is being viewed as a new lucrative destination for Nepali migrant workers after the government stopped issuing work permits for Malaysia -- the second most-favoured destination of Nepali job-aspirants -- following the Malaysian government's move not to take in foreign workers due to the global financial crisis.
In 2003, on December 3 the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and Japan International Training Cooperation Organisation (JITCO) signed a preliminary agreement for sending Nepali migrant workers to Japan after the government gave FNCCI the responsibility of sending Nepali workers to Japan. Still, even after almost five years not a single Nepali trainee worker has been sent to Japan that has started taking foreign workers in agriculture, construction, food processing, fishery, electronics and garments sectors from 14 countries.
Sapkota also said that his department would now onwards hold press meets on a fortnightly basis to disseminate information on the procedings of the department. "From Sunday, no brokers will be allowed to enter the department," he said while promising that the department would serve service-seekers on a first-come, first-served basis.
"We have also started collecting data about those returning," he said adding that the department is also eyeing alternative destinations like Oman and Libya. As matters stand, it is the government's compulsion at present to find new destinations as it has not been able to generate jobs here at home.
Some time ago, on an average 656 Nepalis used to leave for various destinations daily in search of greener pastures. At a conservative estimate, 1.24 million Nepalis are working abroad. The country was also reaping the benefits of the remittance sent home by migrant workers that was contributing 17.4 per cent to the total GDP. Of the total remittance, Saudi Arabia tops the list, followed by Qatar and Malaysia.
Showing posts with label JITCO. Show all posts
Showing posts with label JITCO. Show all posts
Friday, January 30, 2009
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Outsourcing labour a compulsion: Minister Bhatta
At an interaction at Reporters' Club here today, Minister for Labour and Transport Management Lekh Raj Bhatta said that sending workers abroad for employment was a compulsion as employment opportunities in the country are not sufficient created in the country. Data reveals that 656 Nepalis leave for various destinations daily in search of greener pastures due to lack of job opportunities back home.
"Foreign employment may be an alternative but not long term solution as the development of the country depends on the creation of more jobs at home," he said adding that in such a situation the young generation is compelled to go abroad as migrant workers.
He pointed out that manpower companies should be mindful of the financial and physical security of the workers they send abroad. "News of deaths of Nepali workers has been regular in recent days," he said adding that the manpower companies and embassies should be more responsible. "There are 518 Nepali women in Tihar jail of India due to fraudulent manpower agencies," he said.
Bhatta also critised the Nepali embassies abroad. "Though some embassies are performing well, others are reluctant to resolve Nepali migrant workers' woes," he added.
The minister said the problem could be solved if Labour Attaches were appointed in the embassies. But even after the cabinet go-ahead two weeks ago to appoint Labour Attaches in embassies in Qatar, Saudi Arab, Malaysia and Dubai where there is high concentration of Nepali migrant labourers, the attaches are yet to posted there, it could not be implemented. "The ministry will send all four Labour Attaches within two weeks," he promised.
Nepali labourers find Gulf countries more attractive but due to global financial crisis some of the big contractors in Gulf countries have stopped taking new employees. Israel is yet another lucrative but troubled destination.
Apart from that, Japan is being seen as a new lucrative destination for Nepali migrant workers. "The government had given the responsibility of sending Nepali workers to Japan to the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI)." he said. On December 3, 2003, FNCCI and Japan International Training Cooperation Organisation (JITCO) had signed a preliminary agreement on sending Nepali migrant workers to Japan. But even after almost five years, not a single Nepali worker has gone to Japan. "We have restarted the process to send the Nepali trainees to Japan," Bhatta added.
Japan has started taking foreign workers in agriculture, construction, food processing, fishery, electronics and garments sectors from 14 countries. Bangladesh is the 14th country it has entered into an agreement on migrant workers.
On the occasion, some Japanese employers said that they were willing to take Nepali workers if the government permits. According to available data, between 1992 to 2003 -- a 12-year duration -- 2,202 Nepalis have gone to Japan as trainee worker.
"Foreign employment may be an alternative but not long term solution as the development of the country depends on the creation of more jobs at home," he said adding that in such a situation the young generation is compelled to go abroad as migrant workers.
He pointed out that manpower companies should be mindful of the financial and physical security of the workers they send abroad. "News of deaths of Nepali workers has been regular in recent days," he said adding that the manpower companies and embassies should be more responsible. "There are 518 Nepali women in Tihar jail of India due to fraudulent manpower agencies," he said.
Bhatta also critised the Nepali embassies abroad. "Though some embassies are performing well, others are reluctant to resolve Nepali migrant workers' woes," he added.
The minister said the problem could be solved if Labour Attaches were appointed in the embassies. But even after the cabinet go-ahead two weeks ago to appoint Labour Attaches in embassies in Qatar, Saudi Arab, Malaysia and Dubai where there is high concentration of Nepali migrant labourers, the attaches are yet to posted there, it could not be implemented. "The ministry will send all four Labour Attaches within two weeks," he promised.
Nepali labourers find Gulf countries more attractive but due to global financial crisis some of the big contractors in Gulf countries have stopped taking new employees. Israel is yet another lucrative but troubled destination.
Apart from that, Japan is being seen as a new lucrative destination for Nepali migrant workers. "The government had given the responsibility of sending Nepali workers to Japan to the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI)." he said. On December 3, 2003, FNCCI and Japan International Training Cooperation Organisation (JITCO) had signed a preliminary agreement on sending Nepali migrant workers to Japan. But even after almost five years, not a single Nepali worker has gone to Japan. "We have restarted the process to send the Nepali trainees to Japan," Bhatta added.
Japan has started taking foreign workers in agriculture, construction, food processing, fishery, electronics and garments sectors from 14 countries. Bangladesh is the 14th country it has entered into an agreement on migrant workers.
On the occasion, some Japanese employers said that they were willing to take Nepali workers if the government permits. According to available data, between 1992 to 2003 -- a 12-year duration -- 2,202 Nepalis have gone to Japan as trainee worker.
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