World Bank outlines four key reforms to boost growth, create jobs

Nepal has achieved remarkable success in poverty reduction, nearly eradicating extreme poverty, largely driven by remittances. To strengthen future growth, Nepal should prioritise policy actions that unlock domestic opportunities, according to the World Bank’s Nepal Country Economic Memorandum: Unlocking Nepal’s Growth Potential, released today.

Despite progress, Nepal’s economic growth lags regional peers, it reads, adding that Nepal's economy grew at an average annual real rate of just 4.2 per cent between 1996 and 2023, ranking sixth out of eight South Asian nations. Structural challenges such as low productivity, declining exports, and a stagnant industrial sector have held back the economy and led to slow job creation in non-agriculture sectors. Young workers are migrating abroad in search of better job opportunities as domestic prospects remain limited.

“Nepal's success in poverty reduction is impressive, but its economic potential remains largely untapped,” said World Bank Division Country Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka David Sislen. “Nepal has significant potential to drive stronger growth and create jobs by implementing key reforms to increase the returns from migration, boost exports, use hydropower efficiently, and boost digitalisation.”

“The 16th Plan for Nepal outlines a vision of good governance, social justice, and prosperity and prioritizes productivity and competitiveness, decent and productive jobs, social security, and ensuring a smooth transition from LDC status,"  vice chair of the National Planning Commission (NPC) Prof Dr Shiva Raj Adhikari said, adding that the government is committed to ensuring an enabling policy environment for Nepal’s sustainable growth.

The Nepal Country Economic Memorandum produced every five years, offers a roadmap for faster growth in key sectors. It recommends policy actions in four critical areas to unlock Nepal's economic potential.

Getting more out of migration: A systematic and institutionalised migration system can enhance the returns from migration. Integrating migration into national development, job creation, and poverty reduction strategies will provide a platform to work towards such a system. Policies should focus on reducing the cost and increasing the benefits and safety for current low-skilled migrants, while also eyeing longer-term skill and destination diversification. Expanding and better implementing bilateral labor agreements will be critical. Initiatives promoting entrepreneurship and retraining and reskilling programmes would allow returning migrants to reintegrate into the domestic labour market.

Improving export performance: Improving market competition in key sectors and addressing infrastructure deficits can boost exports. Better managing inflationary pressures would address the erosion of exporters’ price competitiveness. Encouraging people to use remittances for investments and business growth could help ease inflation. Simplifying the process for businesses to get tax refunds on imported materials and lowering import taxes would make it easier for them to export more products. With Nepal’s transition from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) status and the loss of trade preferences, authorities should seek additional preferential trade agreements. 

Harnessing the potential of hydropower: Developing a clear financing strategy to develop the hydropower sector will help mobilise much-needed investments. This strategy could include developing the domestic bond market and an effective framework for large-scale public-private partnerships. Strengthening the regulatory and legal frameworks, by reducing bureaucratic red tape and streamlining the current licensing process, would improve the structure of the electricity market and attract additional investment.

Boosting the digital sector: Updating the Telecommunications Act and the digital strategy and adopting key digital infrastructure faster would boost the development of the digital sector. Low digital skills, one of the key roadblocks in the sector, need to be addressed by integrating these skills in school curricula and through training programmes for different age groups and demographics.

नेपालको आर्थिक वृद्धि र रोजगारी सिर्जनाका लागि विश्व बैंकको चार सुझाव

नेपालले चरम गरिबी लगभग निवारण गरेर गरिबी न्यूनीकरणमा उल्लेखनीय सफलता हासिल गरेको छ, यसमा मूलतः विप्रेषण (रेमिट्यान्स) को ठूलो भूमिका रहेको विश्व बैंकले जनाएको छ। सोमबार सार्वजनिक गरिएको विश्व बैंकको नेपाल राष्ट्रगत आर्थिक परिदृश्यः नेपालमा आर्थिक वृद्धिको सम्भावना उजागर  प्रतिवेदनका अनुसार, भविष्यमा सुदृढ आर्थिक वृद्धि हासिल गर्न नेपालले आन्तरिक अवसरहरूलाई खुल्ला गर्ने नीतिगत कदमहरूलाई प्राथमिकता दिनुपर्छ ।

प्रगतिका बाबजुद नेपालको आर्थिक वृद्धि क्षेत्रीय समकक्षी राष्ट्रहरूको तुलनामा निकै पछाडि छ । सन् १९९६ देखि सन् २०२३ को अवधिमा नेपालको अर्थतन्त्र वार्षिक औसत ४।२ प्रतिशतले मात्र वृद्धि भयो, जुन दक्षिण एसियाका आठ राष्ट्रहरूमध्ये छैटौँ स्थानमा पर्दछ । निर्यातमा गिरावट, औद्योगिक क्षेत्रको गतिहीनता र न्यून उत्पादकत्व जस्ता संरचनागत चुनौतीहरूले नेपालको अर्थतन्त्रलाई पछाडि धकेल्नुका साथै गैर–कृषि क्षेत्रमा रोजगारी सिर्जना सुस्त भएको छ । आन्तरिक रोजगारी अवसर सीमित हुँदा युवा श्रमिकहरू वैदेशिक रोजगारीमा जान बाध्य छन् ।

“गरिबी न्यूनीकरणमा नेपालको सफलता उल्लेखनीय छ, तर मुलुकको आर्थिक सम्भावना अझै पूर्ण रूपमा उपयोग हुन सकेको छैन,” मल्दिभ्स, नेपाल र श्रीलंकाका लागि विश्व बैंकका विभागीय राष्ट्रिय निर्देशक डेभिड सिस्लेनले भने, “नेपालसँग आप्रवासनको प्रतिफल वृद्धि गर्ने, निर्यात बढाउने, जलविद्युतको कुशलतापूर्ण उपयोग गर्ने, र डिजिटलीकरणलाई प्रवर्द्धन गर्नेजस्ता सुधारमार्फत मजबुत आर्थिक वृद्धि हासिल गर्नसक्ने प्रशस्त सम्भावना छ ।”

“नेपाल सरकारको १६औं योजनाले सुशासन, सामाजिक न्याय र समृद्धिको दृष्टिकोण प्रस्तुत गरेको छ र यसले उत्पादकत्व र प्रतिस्पर्धी क्षमता विकास, मर्यादित तथा फलदायी रोजगारी, सामाजिक सुरक्षा, तथा अल्पविकसित राष्ट्रबाट सहज स्तरोन्नति सुनिश्चित गर्ने प्राथमिकता राखेको छ । नेपाल सरकार दिगो आर्थिक वृद्धिका लागि अनुकूल नीतिगत वातावरण सुनिश्चित गर्न प्रतिवद्ध छ,” राष्ट्रिय योजना आयोगका उपाध्यक्ष प्रा डा शिवराज अधिकारीले भने।

हरेक पाँच वर्षमा तयार गरिने नेपालः राष्ट्रगत आर्थिक परिदृश्यले प्रमुख क्षेत्रमा तीव्र आर्थिक वृद्धिको मार्गचित्र प्रदान गर्दछ । यसले नेपालको आर्थिक सम्भावनालाई उजागर गर्न चार प्रमुख क्षेत्रहरूमा नीतिगत सुधारको सिफारिस गरेको छ ।

आप्रवासनबाट थप लाभ उठाउनेः व्यवस्थित र समावेशी रूपमा संस्थागत प्रवासन प्रणालीले आप्रवासनबाट थप लाभ हासिल गर्न मद्दत गर्छ । राष्ट्रिय विकास, रोजगारी सिर्जना र गरिबी न्यूनीकरण रणनीतिहरूसँग आप्रवासनलाई एकीकृत गर्दा यस प्रकारको प्रणालीतर्फ काम गर्ने मञ्च ९प्लेटफर्म० प्रदान गर्दछ । नीतिहरू दीर्घकालीन सीप विकास र श्रम गन्तव्य विविधिकरणलाई ध्यानमा राख्दै सीपयुक्त श्रमिकहरूको प्रवासन लागत घटाउने र लाभ एवं सुरक्षा बढाउनेतर्फ केन्द्रित हुनुपर्छ । थप द्विपक्षीय सम्झौताहरू गर्ने र तिनीहरूको प्रभावकारी कार्यान्वयन महत्वपूर्ण हुनेछन् । विदेशबाट फर्कने श्रमिकहरूलाई आन्तरिक श्रम बजारमा पुनःसमायोजन गर्न उद्यमशीलता प्रवर्द्धन, पुर्नतालिम, तथा पुनःसीप विकास कार्यक्रमहरू लागू गर्नुपर्छ ।

निर्यात क्षमतामा सुधारः मुख्य क्षेत्रहरूमा बजार प्रतिस्पर्धा सुधार तथा पूर्वाधारको न्यूनतालाई सम्बोधन गरेर निर्यात बढाउन सकिन्छ । मुद्रास्फीतिको दबाबलाई राम्रोसँग व्यवस्थापन गर्दा निर्यातकर्ताको मूल्य प्रतिस्पर्धात्मकतालाई सम्बोधन गर्दछ । विप्रेषणलाई लगानी र व्यवसाय वृद्धिका लागि उपयोग गर्न मानिसहरूलाई प्रोत्साहीत गरेको खण्डमा मुद्रास्फिती बढ्ने क्रम सुस्त हुन्छ । व्यवसायले आयातीत वस्तुमा कर फिर्ता प्राप्तिको प्रणाली सरलीकरण र आयात कर कटौतीले निर्यातकर्तालाई थप निर्यातका लागि सहज बनाउँछ । साथै, नेपालले अल्पविकसित राष्ट्रको रूपमा प्राप्त गर्ने व्यापार सुविधा कटौती हुने अवस्थालाई मध्यनजर गर्दै अधिकारीहरूले थप सुविधायुक्त व्यापार सम्झौताहरू खोज्नुपर्छ ।

जलविद्युतको सम्भावना उपयोगः जलविद्युत् विकासका लागि स्पष्ट वित्तीय रणनीति निर्माण गरी आवश्यक लगानी आकर्षित गर्न सकिन्छ । यस रणनीति अन्तर्गत स्थानीय बचतपत्र (बण्ड) बजारको विकास तथा ठूला सार्वजनिक–निजी साझेदारी ९पीपीपी०का ठूला परियोजनाहरूका लागि प्रभावकारी ढाँचा निर्माण आवश्यक छ । साथै, प्रशासनिक झन्झट घटाएर र इजाजत ९लाइसेन्स० प्रक्रियालाई सरलीकरण गर्नुका साथै नियमन तथा कानुनी संरचनालाई सशक्तीकरण गर्नुपर्छ ।  यसले नेपालको विद्युत बजार संरचना सुधार गर्नेछ र थप लगानी आकर्षित गर्नेछ ।

डिजिटल क्षेत्रको प्रवर्द्धनः नेपालको डिजिटल क्षेत्रमा तीव्र सुधार ल्याउन दूरसञ्चार ऐन परिमार्जन गर्नुका साथै डिजिटल रणनीति अबलम्बन र डिजिटल पूर्वाधारको विकासले यस क्षेत्रको विकासलाई विस्तार गर्नेछ । नेपालमा कम डिजिटल सीप एउटा प्रमुख चुनौतीका रूपमा रहेकाले विद्यालय पाठ्यक्रममा डिजिटल सीप समावेश गर्नुका साथै विभिन्न उमेर समूहका लागि र जनसांख्यिक विशेषताका आधारमा तालिम कार्यक्रम सञ्चालन गर्नुपर्छ ।

Nepal, Germany sign labour agreement

Nepal and Germany today signed a joint declaration of intent (DoI) on Skilled Labour Migration and Knowledge Exchange.

During the signing ceremony at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of Germany, minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security Sharat Singh Bhandari and State Secretary (Deputy Minister) of Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of Germany Leonie Gebers were present, according to a press note issued by the Embassy of Nepal in Berlin, Germany.

Nepal's ambassador to Gremany Ram Kaji Khadka and director at the lnternational Affairs, German Federal Employment Agency Michael van der Cammen signed the JDol, on behalf of their respective governments in the presence of Nepal's visiting delegation led by the minister Bhandari.

The signing of the JDol was preceded by a bilateral meeting between the high-level Nepali delegation led by minister Bhandari and the high-level German delegation led by State Secretary (Deputy Minister).

On the occasion, the leaders of two delegations shared views, primarily, on the agenda of Nepal-Germany bilateral relations, skilled labour migration, Nepal's commitment to legal migration, workers' welfare and social security, German language and vocational training, and circular migration.

During the meeting, the two leaders expressed happiness over the growing relations between the two countries in recent years and stated that the signing of the JDol would be the first step in the roadmap towards fair and legal labour migration from Nepal to Germany. 

Bhandari, on the occasion, also expressed Nepal's willingness to collaborate with the friendly Government of Germany in all sectors of mutual benefits.

Likewise, Gebers also stated that the signing of the JDol would open the way forward for institutional arrangement in immigrating Nepali skilled workers as per the need of the German job market. She also highlighted the positive sides of the recent German Skilled lmmigration Act which has eased the process of recruiting foreign skilled workers in Germany.

The Nepali delegation being led by the minister included secretary at the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security Kewal Prasad Bhandari, ambassador of Nepal to Germany Ram Kaji Khadka, and other officials from the Labour Ministry, Foreign Ministry and Embassy of Nepal in Berlin.

The German delegation led by Gebers included the high-level officials from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Federal Employment Agency and other relevant Departments of Germany.

Likewise, the Nepali delegation yesterday held discussions with the delegation of lnternational Labour Organisation (lLO) Berlin Bureau led by Dr Annette Niederfranke, Director at the Embassy of Nepal in Berlin.

During the meeting, various labour related issues including welfare of workers, measures against the exploitation and trafficking of workers, inclusive foreign employment and reintegration of migrant workers in the county of origin were discussed. ln the afternoon, the Nepali delegation participated in an interaction programme with the Nepali diaspora living in Germany organised by the Embassy.

The Nepali delegation is holding a meeting with the representatives of private sectors of Germany on Wednesday (tomorrow), and the visiting delegation is scheduled to leave Germany for Nepal on Thursday.

Nepal Labour Migration Report 2022 launched on International Migrants Day

Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, International Organisation for Migration (IOM), International Labour Organisation (ILO), and Safer Migration Programme (SaMI) jointly launched the ‘Nepal Labour Migration Report 2022’ on International Migrants Day today.

The report encapsulates the major trends and activities in the country’s labour migration sector covering the period between 2019-2020 and 2021-2022, which follows the efforts of the ministry to periodically present a comprehensive overview of labour migration in Nepal, according to a press note issued by the IOM.

According to the report, the ministry has adopted and implemented a range of policies and legal instruments to address labour migration related issues in the country such as shifting labour migration related services to online system, adopting new directives and procedures for the reintegration of returnee migrant workers, as well as significant modification on immigration policies especially aiming the migrants in major countries of destination. Despite this progress, Nepali migrant workers’ health and safety issues as well as cases of fraud, abuse and exploitation continue to occur in unignorable numbers, it reads.

The report also stresses the importance of ‘informed migration’, awareness, sensitisation, and the need for implementing country specific pre-departure orientation as well as post-arrival orientation for migrants.

Likewise, the report appeals to support the government’s efforts to ensure fair and ethical recruitment, including the implementation of the ‘employer pays’ principle, which means the costs of recruitment should be borne by the employer not by the worker.

Labour Migration has been a common livelihood strategy for Nepalese households over the recent decades. According to the World Bank, remittances contributed equal to some 24 per cent of the country’s GDP in the year 2021.

Addressing the event in capacity of the chief guest minister for labour, employment and social security Sher Bahadur Kunwar extended his best wishes to all the migrants on the occasion of the International Migrants Day, and wished for an environment where all labour migrants can be proud of their work and be able to be united for their rights.

“The report will be a useful resource for everyone for it has covered every aspect of migration including its shifting dynamics,” he said. 

“I am glad that we have been able to continue to join hands with the government and other key stakeholders in presenting such report covering every aspects of the labour migration sector in Nepal, which I believe will eventually contribute to strengthening labour migration governance and ensuring safe, orderly and dignified labour migration in Nepal, envisioned by the Sustainable Development Goals and the Global Compact for Migration (GCM),” said IOM Nepal chief of Mission Lorena Lando, after the report launch.

“Introducing the report on this day dedicated to all migrants across the world, we are contributing to our objectives of humanizing mobility to contribute to social cohesion and reduce negative perceptions about migrants”, she added.

“The foundation of effective policy formulation and implementation is robust research and social dialogue,” said officer-in-charge for ILO Nepal Fredy Guayacan, Congratulating the ministry on the report launch.

“We are honoured to have continued our support for this extremely important work since 2014, which we believe is essential not only to enhance our understanding of the key trends and issues related to labour migration in Nepal but also to reflect on each of our roles in ensuring labour migration governance respects the rights of migrant workers and their families,” he added.

The IOM, ILO and Sami had supported the government in developing the report.

Representatives from various other government agencies, civil society, development partners, academia, researchers, the United Nations, and other national and international organizations were among the attendees of the event.

Every year on December 18, the world celebrates International Migrants Day to mark the anniversary of the adoption of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families by the United Nations General Assembly in 1990. In Nepal, under the leadership of the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, the country is marked the Day under the theme of ‘skills, capital, and knowledge gained from foreign employment: entrepreneurship, employment and national dignity’.

Nepal urges Malaysia to increase minimum wage of Nepali migrant workers

 Nepal has asked Malaysia to increase minimum wage of Nepali workers in Malaysia.

During the meeting with minister for Home Affairs of Malaysia Hamzah Zainuddin, the visiting Nepali minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security Krishna Kumar Shrestha urged to increase minimum wage, service and facility of Nepali workers including security guards in Malaysia.

He also asked the Malaysian minister to increase the monthly salary of Nepali security guards to 3,000 Malaysian ringgit.

They held discussion on a gamut of issues including providing more employment opportunities to Nepali workers by making arrangements of security guard-related training in Nepal and making zero-cost principle effective. They also discussed on making improved arrangements of health, social security and 24-hour insurance facilities, according to a press note issued by the Nepali Embassy in Malaysia.

Digital labour platforms offer young refugees a possible route to decent work

The digital economy can provide job opportunities for many young refugees but ensuring decent working conditions will require new directions in thinking and action, says a new International Labour Organisation (ILO) today.

The report, 'Towards decent work for young refugees and host communities in the digital platform economy in Africa: Kenya, Uganda, Egypt', finds that digital gig work has the potential to generate income for refugees. Since they often struggle to enter local labour markets, refugees may turn to prominent digital platforms such as Jumia or Upwork in the absence of local livelihood opportunities.

But there are two major concerns relating to refugee’s work on digital platforms; decent work deficits and a lack of connectivity. Kenya, Uganda and Egypt, the three countries studied in the report, have all invested heavily in the digital economy and adopted national strategies for increasing digital access. Yet in 2020 only 22.5 per cent of the Kenyan population was using the internet, compared with 57 per cent in Egypt and 24 per cent in Uganda.

Globally, while 93 per cent of refugees are covered by at least a 2G network, they are 50 per cent less likely than the general population to have an internet-enabled phone. For refugee youth, the access is even more limited.

Other significant challenges include difficulties obtaining work permits, unreliable electricity supply and internet connection, a lack of access to suitable hardware and software or access to digital payment mechanisms.

"The unequal spread of internet connectivity, inequalities in digital skills and digital literacy, alongside the specific obstacles that many refugee populations face in accessing digital economies and decent digital work make it difficult to apply for these jobs,” said the author of the report Andreas Hackl. “Without coordinated action, the digital economy can reinforce the deeply rooted social and economic inequalities that govern the young refugees’ lives.”

Initiatives are in place to facilitate refugees' access to the digital economy. Intermediary organisation like social impact labour platforms offer to redistribute work opportunities to refugees and negotiate fees and conditions with the platforms on their behalf.

Examples of digital skills training, such as coding academies, boot camps and digital technical and vocational education and training (TVET), have been established in Kakuma camp in Kenya, the Bidi Bidi settlement in Uganda and the large refugee-hosting cities in Egypt, such as Cairo.

The report recommends to promote digital jobs amongst young refugees including improve refugees’ access to the internet and to its economic and employment related dimensions. "The deepen efforts to build a variety of digital skills among refugees that increase their employability in a digitised future of work, while working with relevant employers and economic sectors to match skills with demands through stronger employment service institutions that cater to refugee populations," it recommends, adding that support existing remote employers of refugees with financial and technical assistance - including social enterprises and social impact work platforms – and promote formalisation strategies so as to achieve better payment and working conditions for their employees or self-employed workers. "Improve social dialogue related to digital labour, which is virtually absent in refugee hosting situations, through the access of workers’ and employers’ organisations to workers in refugee camps." 

The report also recommends to specifically address barriers and obstacles to digital livelihoods posed by legal and political refugee regimes through high-level advocacy and policy support.

Global agreement reached at ILO conference on action for Covid-19 recovery

Delegates from 181 countries representing the governments, workers and employers at the International Labour Conference  (ILC) have adopted unanimously a Global Call to Action for a human-centred Covid-19 recovery that prioritises the creation of decent jobs for all and addresses the inequalities caused by the crisis.

The Global Call to Action for a Human-Centred Recovery outlines a comprehensive agenda. It commits countries to ensuring that their economic and social recovery from the crisis is 'fully inclusive, sustainable and resilient.'

The agreement includes two sets of agreed actions, according to a press note of the ILO. "The first covers measures to be taken by national governments and their employer and trade union ‘social partners’, to achieve a job-rich recovery that substantially strengthens worker and social protections and supports sustainable enterprises, and a second set of actions covers international cooperation and the role of multilateral institutions, including the ILO, with the aim of increasing the level and coherence of their support for national 'human-centred' pandemic recovery strategies."

It calls on the ILO – with its mandate for social justice and decent work – to play a leadership role and use all means of action to support the design and implementation of recovery strategies that leave no one behind, including by reinforcing cooperation with other institutions of the multilateral system.

The Call to Action is grounded in the ILO’s Centenary Declaration for the Future of Work , adopted at the 2019 ILC. The Call provides a path for accelerating practical implementation of the Declaration through enhanced policies and investment that support a broad-based, fully-inclusive recovery. It also calls for urgent, coordinated action in related areas, including international cooperation and solidarity to ensure global and equal access to vaccines, treatments and preventive measures.

ILO director-general Guy Ryder welcomed the agreement, and called for creating a recovery that is inclusive, sustainable and resilient must become a top priority for public policy. "This resolution provides a clear and comprehensive way forward that will enable countries to convert the moral and political aspiration of leaving no one behind into concrete action."

"The effectiveness and resilience of the recovery from Covid-19  will depend heavily on how broadly-based and socially inclusive it is," he said, adding that unless they specifically address the inequalities that have deepened during this crisis there is a very real risk that the economic and social consequences will cause long-term scarring, particularly for disproportionately-affected groups such as young people and women, and the small and microenterprises that provide most of the world’s employment.

In a special sitting of the ILC, prior to adopting the Call to Action, delegates took part in the first day of the two-day World of Work Summit: Global action for a human-centred Covid-19 response. The Summit discussed the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on labour markets, and recovery strategies that promote social justice and decent work.

The summit also heard video messages from key world leaders , including Pope Francis; South Korean President Moon Jae-in; Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa and US President Joe Biden.

Amid large scale job and income loss, families await support

 According to recent rapid survey conducted by Sharecast Initiative Nepal with support from UNICEF during the third quarter of May 2021, some 53 per cent had lost jobs, and 40 per cent of them lost both jobs and income in the form of remittances, sales and other activity they used as a source of additional income.

The survey covered approximately 3,000 families with children. Agriculture and tourism, being the biggest employment industries, including people depending on daily wages, are most likely to incur the most significant economic losses. Bagmati and Karnali appear to be most affected. This large-scale job and income loss threaten to deteriorate further the socio-economic well-being of the children and their families, the survey reports, adding that most families may reduce food intake and essential expenses, including nutrition and education for children. "About 99 per cent of the families reported receiving no support to stave off the hardship."

Over the past year, UNICEF’s nationwide bi-monthly survey, Child and Family Tracker, showed that over 60 per cent of households with children experienced economic and livelihood losses in the first two months of initial lockdown. Although most families with children were able to recover economically since then, some 40 per cent of them remained at risk of falling into poverty. "The overall income distribution did not catch up to levels before lockdowns," the survey further reads, adding that over 20 per cent of the families had to reduce the quantity or change their children's variety of food intake. "Children in almost 30 per cent of households had access to distant learning." Yet, most children living in low-income households and belonging to vulnerable and marginalised groups could not take advantage of it.

However, child labour reduced from 31 per cent of households reporting that their children worked before lockdown to 8 per cent during the lockdown, it adds. However, children in over 20 per cent of these households began working after the lockdown ended. This implies that while the lockdown contributed to a significant reduction in child labour, children are most likely to start work to help their families cope with the economic struggles, concluded the survey.

Using the survey’s evidence, UNICEF implemented emergency cash transfer in response to the emerging needs of more than 10,000 children. But UNICEF’s data also implies that many more children are in need in this challenging time. 

Likely, children in families depending on daily wages and those, who lost income and jobs will experience adverse effects of their caregivers’ financial situation on their education, health and psychological wellbeing, according to the survey. Expanding the social protection coverage of children using existing systems and providing additional cash support to prevent shocks on children is crucial now more than ever. "In this regard, UNICEF congratulates the government of Nepal on the recent expansion of the Child Grant Programme and the increase in the SSA benefit size of up to 33 per cent." 

However, there are many more that need support, it adds, "Also, it is important to increase the amount of the transfer to deal with the additional stress caused by the pandemic."

PM Oli pledges to raise minimum wage to Rs 15,000, Private sector says 'not possible'

 Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli today announced that the minimum wage of workers will be increased to Rs 15,000 from the nest fiscal year that starts from July 16.

The premier's pledge to hike the minimum wage from the current Rs 13,450 in the time of Covid-19 pandemic has however surprised the private sector.

"Though the prime minister announced to increase the minimum wage, we are in no condition to pay regular wage due to second wave of pandemic, let alone increasing it," said one industrialist. "There has no been discussion on minimum wage hike either," he said, adding that the announcement came to a mere surprise to the private sector. "It could be the prime minister's election propaganda."

On the occasion of the 132nd International Workers’ Day today, Oli extending his best wishes to all working-class people said that minimum wage will be increased from the beginning of the new fiscal year.

But the private sector players think the prime ministers move is election oriented. "Since he has lost confidence from every quarter for his failure in securing livelihood of the people, he announced unilaterally the wage hike to get votes in the election," one of the industry players said, adding that such uncertainty in policy will not only discourage the private sector and investment but also force the industrialists to rethink their investment plans. "We are already suffering from the high cost economy, and the increase in wage will make Nepali products not only costly but also incompetent in the market."

Another industrialist said that the cost of production has been increasing lately due to various circumstances, and the increase in minimum wage will not only hurt the industries but also government plan to create employment in the country. "The government is forcing the Nepali youths to foreign employment by pushing the Nepalis industries to the closure."

The industries that have been hit by the lockdown from last March 24 for four months, and subsequent prohibitory order for another almost half year, have just started to gain momentum, the second wave of the pandemic struck the country. The government has imposed prohibitory order restricting the movement from Thursday to break the chain of coronavirus spread. The second wave seems more dangerous as it has posted over 5,000 new cases everyday.

There is a provision to hike the minimum wage every two years. But the industries, labours and government agreed last year not to increase the minimum wage during the pandemic.

"Job security and creation of additional job opportunities will be the priority of the government,’’ the prime minister said, adding that Nepali trade union movement had brought the people’s hardship and sufferings to the limelight.

Japanese assistance for child labour reduction project

 Japan has helped child labour reduction project in Makawanpur district.

The government of Japan has extended $265,576 (approximately Rs 30.85 million), to Shapla Neer – Citizens’ Committee in Japan for Overseas Support, under the grant assistance for Japanese NGO Projects Schemes.

Shapla Neer, an international NGO based in Japan, will work with a Nepali partner NGO, Child Workers in Nepal Concerned Center (CWIN-Nepal), to reduce child labour through strengthening the child protection mechanism in Makwanpur district, acording to a press note issued by the Japanese Embassy.

A grant contract for this project was signed and exchanged on today by Charge d’Affaires ad Interim of Japan to Nepal Yoshioka Yuzo and country representative of Shapla Neer Nepal Office Katsui Hiromi, at the Embassy of Japan in Kathmandu.

Shapla Neer Nepal Office together with CWIN-Nepal will closely coordinate with local government, stakeholders and community members to achieve a reduction in child labour through various activities to enhance the child protection capacity of local government, to support children at high risk of child labour, and to increase community awareness on child labour in Manahari Rural Municipality of Makwanpur district, the press note adds.

The Embassy of Japan in Nepal expects that the project will contribute to elimination of child labor, child trafficking, and will promote child protection in Makwanpur district. The embassy, according to the press note, is also confident that the project will strengthen the cordial friendship between the peoples of Japan and Nepal.

White Paper on cyber safety for children

 Observing the Safer Internet Day 2021, ChildSafeNet and UNICEF Nepal published a white paper on protecting children and young people online today.

The white paper includes a comprehensive assessment on children and young people's internet use, online risks for them and their vulnerability to online abuse and exploitation, claims a press note issued by the UN agency.

The white paper was developed by ChildSafeNet – an organisation working to make the internet safer for children and young people – in collaboration with UNICEF Nepal. The white paper also includes review of the policies, plans, response mechanisms and gaps related to protection of children and young people online. 

Over the past decade, internet use has seen a rapid increase in Nepal. According to Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA), some 80.07 per cent Nepalis have access to internet, whereas only 2.65 per cent people were connected to internet in 2010. As stated in a report of survey, conducted by ChildSafeNet and UNICEF Nepal, one in four children and young people spend more than ten hours online after the Covid-19 outbreak.

“Despite this exponential rise, awareness levels on internet safety still remains very low,” founder and president of ChildSafeNet Anil Raghuvanshi said, “As a result, children and young people, are at an increased risk to online risks such as online sexual abuse and exploitation, cyberbullying, cyber grooming and phishing.”

Raghuvanshi informed that, in order to prepare the white paper, ChildSafeNet conducted a desktop review of over 120 research reports, policy documents, laws and international instruments related to protection of children and young people online. Likewise, inputs and recommendations were collected from six virtual workshops and 21 key informant interviews with child online protection experts and stakeholders.

“The white paper is expected to help in filling the gaps in knowledge on online safety for children and young people in Nepal and make the gravity of the issue more visible,” chief at the Child Protection, UNICEF Nepal, Inah Fatoumata Kaloga said, speaking at the virtual launch of the white paper.

Human rights lawyer and lecturer at Kathmandu Law School Kapil Aryal reviewed the policies and laws related to protection of children and young people in Nepal and contributed as a content writer of the white paper. According to Aryal, the Electronic Transactions Act 2063 is being used in all cases related to cybercrimes, which does not define cybercrimes against children. “Moreover, the Kathmandu District Court remains the only court designated to hear cases filed under this Act.”

Since The Act Relating to Children 2075 prohibits exploitation children from online sexual abuse and exploitation and defines online offences against, Aryal suggested using this Act for the cases related to online offences against children. “Moreover, the Criminal Code 2074 can also be used, which, penalises cybercrimes, online harassment, threatening, insulting and improper behavior.”

“The white paper is an evidence-based tool,” Kaloga said, adding that It is expected to contribute in policy development, programme planning and advocacy to increase engagement of the government, civil society, private sector, parents, teachers and other stakeholders to make the internet safer.

The white paper provides a set of actionable recommendations to the government, civil society organisations, private sector, parents, teachers, children and young people in order to make the digital technologies safer for children and young people.

Nepalis can go to Israel from next month

 The Israeli labour market has been opened for Nepali youth as Nepal and Israel today signed 'Implementation Protocol' of agreement.

“Nepali migrant workers can go to Israel as an 'Implementation Protocol' has been signed between Nepal and Israel today for the implementation of the agreement related to temporary employment of Nepali workers in the labour market of Israel,” according to a press note issued by the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security.

Nepali ambassador to Israel Dr Anjan Shakya and Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister Gabi Ashkenazi had signed the labour pact five months ago on September 30, 2020.  

The protocol was today signed by the director general of the Department of Foreign Employment Kumar Dahal and Israeli ambassador to Nepal Hanan Godar – on behalf of their respective governments – at a programme organised at the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security.

Expressing belief that diplomatic as well as labour relations between the two countries will be even more cordial in the days to come, labour minister Gauri Shankar Chaudhary said that a new dimension has been added to the bilateral relations between Nepal and Israel with the signing of the protocol.

He also urged the Israeli government to provide opportunities of employment to Nepali youths in other sectors except in caregiver sector.

Likewise, Dahal – after siging the protocol – said that the department will maintain transparency in the process of filling online applications for the implementation of the protocol. Nepali envoy to Israel Dr Anjan Shakya – who was presented virtually on the occasion – said that she was actively involved in opening the labour market of Israel to Nepalis since she reached Israel as the Nepali ambassador.

In the first phase, some 500 Nepalis will be able to go Israel – one of the most lucrative labour destinations – for caregiver job after signing of the protocol, the ministry explained, adding that Nepali youths will get employment as caregivers as well as in hospitals, nursing homes and daycare centers. “They will get perks and benefits according to the laboor related laws of Israel.”

According to the agreement, the Nepali youths will go for employment to Israel through government to government (G2G) arrangements of both countries, and the private sector will not be involved. 

Though, the ministry claimed that the employment in Israel has been made systematic and transparent as much as possible as the government is sending skilled and capable workers to Israel, the private sector still doubts. 

There are some 2,500 Nepalis in Israel currently, according to Nepali Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Government, World Bank sign $80 million Rural Enterprise and Economic Development Project pact

 The Government and the World Bank signed a $80 million (around Rs 9.3 billion) project today to bolster Nepal’s agriculture sector by strengthening rural market linkages and promoting entrepreneurship while creating jobs to support post-Covid-19 recovery.

The Rural Enterprise and Economic Development Project (REED) project was signed by finance secretary Sishir Kumar Dhungana on behalf of the government and the World Bank country director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka Faris Hadad-Zervos.

“We thank the World Bank Group for providing crucial support with this project which will enhance the access of rural enterprises and small-hold producers to markets and institutional buyers,” Dhungana said, adding that promoting agribusiness competitiveness with sustainable market linkages will be critical to boost Nepal’s post-Covid recovery. 

The project aims at facilitating productive partnerships between rural producer organisations and private-sector buyers to add value, create jobs and foster sustainable inclusion into, and development of, higher-value domestic and foreign value chains.

The project focuses on five economic corridors covering Provinces 1, 2, Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini and Sudurpashchim that offer opportunities for successful linkage activities of the rural entrepreneurs to be supported by the project, according to a press note issued by the World Bank. “REED will work with provincial and local governments, intermediary organisations and small and medium enterprises to build capacity in the agriculture sector and strengthen the entrepreneurship ecosystem.”

The project will also finance investments in municipal agriculture centers and value chain infrastructures to ensure the availability of inputs for farming as recovery actions from Covid-19. The project will use labour-intensive Cash for Work mechanism, to the extent possible, in short-term public works.

“The project brings a unique opportunity to transform Nepal’s agriculture sector and spur economic recovery from the pandemic’s fallout by bolstering rural enterprises and creating local jobs and opportunities,”  World Bank country director for Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka Faris Hadad-Zervos said, adding, “By fostering meaningful collaboration among various actors, the project can promote Nepali agriculture products globally by stimulating many niche sectors such as coffee, tea, fruit and medicinal products, among others.”

The project supports the government’s Agriculture Development Strategy 2015–2035 that aims to create a sustainable, competitive, inclusive and resilient agricultural sector that drives economic growth with private sector participation.

Qatar exploits migrant workers: Amnesty International

 A new report by Amnesty International (AI) has revealed how migrant domestic workers employed in Qatar have been pushed to breaking point by extreme overwork, lack of rest, and abusive and degrading treatment, weeks after the gas-rich country gathered all the praise for introducing landmark labour reforms like abolishing exploitative ‘kafala’ system and fixing a new minimum wage.

The AI said – in its report – that it spoke to 105 women, who had been employed as live-in domestic workers in Qatar and found that their rights were still being abused and violated despite government reforms aimed at improving their working conditions. Some women had been victims of serious crimes like sexual assault, it reads, adding that as many as 90 of the 105 women contacted by the London-based advocacy group said they regularly worked more than 14 hours per day; 89 reported regularly working seven days a week; and 87 had their passports confiscated by their employers. “Half of the women worked more than 18 hours per day, and most had never had a single day off at all.”

Some also reported not being appropriately paid, while 40 women described being insulted, slapped or spat at, it adds.

All of this gruesome treatment of domestic workers had taken place despite in 2017 Qatar introducing the Domestic Workers Law, which stipulated limits on working hours, mandatory daily breaks, a weekly day off and paid holidays. “The introduction of the 2017 Domestic Workers Law was a step forward for labour rights protection in Qatar,” head of Economic and Social Justice at Amnesty International Steve Cockburn was quoted in the report. “Sadly, the accounts of the women we spoke to make it clear that these reforms have not been properly implemented or enforced.”

“Almost all had their passport confiscated by their employers, and others described not getting their salaries and being subjected to vicious insults and assaults,” said Cockburn.

The Gulf state hosts around 173,000 migrant domestic workers. Some of the women interviewed were still in their jobs, whereas others had left but remained in Qatar, and others had returned to their home countries.

According to their contracts, domestic workers should work no more than 10 hours a day, six days a week, which is already higher than standards set out by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). On an average they worked 16 hours per day, without being paid any overtime.

The Qatari Domestic Workers Law limits working hours to a maximum of ten hours a day but allows for this to be extended, if agreed by the worker. Many women said they felt scared to refuse their employers’ endless requests for more work, even when they needed to rest, the report reads, adding that at least 23 women said they were not given enough food and felt hungry during their employment in Qatar. “Some women also described sleeping in cramped rooms, in some cases on the floor or without air conditioning.”

Forty women reportedly said they had suffered verbal and physical abuse such as degrading treatment, shouting and insults. Another 15 women said they faced physical abuse at the hands of their employers or family members, including spitting, beating, kicking, punching and hair-pulling. As many as five women had been sexually abused by their employers or visiting relatives. Most women felt they could not complain to the police for fear of retaliation by their employers.

The rights group notes that Qatar has utterly failed to hold abusive employers to account.

As a party to various international treaties prohibiting human rights abuses, Qatar is obliged to protect all workers and to provide remedies when those rights are violated. “We are calling on the Qatari authorities to take concrete steps to ensure full implementation of the law, establish strict inspection mechanisms, and take serious actions against abusive employers,” Cockburn said.

Qatar has utterly failed to hold abusive employers to account, which means there is little to deter future abuses. Practices such as passport confiscation and unpaid wages, which indicate forced labour, are not being automatically investigated, and rarely face consequences even when they refuse to hand passports over or pay dues, the report reads.

Prior to 2018 domestic workers had no access to grievance mechanisms, but when Qatar established the Committees for the Settlement of Labour Disputes, they were finally allowed to submit complaints to these tribunals. However, the process remains beset with delays and other issues. More than half the women AI spoke to reported delayed or unpaid wages, but the very few who felt able to submit claims to the Committees found the process slow and stressful.

One major flaw in the system is that domestic workers risk losing their legal status, income and a place to stay while their complaints are processed. They need a safe refuge and income to support themselves during the process; however, with a government-run shelter not fully operational, complaining at the Committees is not a viable option for most women, it adds.

Corona bleeds festive economy red

 Due to shrinking income and decline in business – because of coronavirus spread – this Dashain is witnessing little or no economic activities.

The shops are open, but there are no buyers, as most of the people have either lost their jobs, or their income has been decreased, only to hit the festive expenses.  

The 10-day Dashain festival officially began from Saturday but with many businesses shattered as a result of months-long lockdown and prohibitory orders, income of a majority of the population has been decreased pressurising people psychologically and financially before the festivals. 

Once used to be vibrant with the beginning of the festival, the manufacturing, construction, hotel and restaurants, transportation, wholesale and retail sectors are hit hard due to Covid-19 pandemic.

According to the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), the nominal GDP of last fiscal year stands at Rs 3.8 trillion, of which 82 per cent was made in consumption that accounts for Rs 3 trillion. The monthly consumption of Nepalis stands at Rs 250 billion. The consumption rate increases from mid-July till mid-October with the beginning of the major festivals. Though the consumption has suppressed this year in those months, the wholesale and retail trade saw less demand bleeding the Dashain economy red. 

During the first four months of the fiscal year the consumption used to account for an amount equal to Rs 1,000 billion with the start of festivity which got declined this year. Some 40 per cent of annual consumption used to take place in these four months of festivals.

Due to falling income – people’s purchasing power – and also increasing inflation due to supply chain disruption because of pandemic affecting transportation, workers and labour rate, the aggregate demand has fallen down. The government has – through the budget for the current fiscal year – and also the central bank – through Monetary Policy for the current fiscal year – failed to create aggregate demand.

Nepal, Oman to sign labour agreement soon

 Nepal and Oman ready to sign labour agreement soon.

Nepal’s ambassador to Oman Sharmila Parajuli Dhakal and labour minister of Oman Dr Mahad bin Saeed bin Ali Baouin praised the progress made so far in the labour agreement to be signed between the two countries soon.

Dhakal paying a courtesy call on Dr Mahad – at the latter's office – also congratulated Dr Mahad on his appointment to the post of labour minister of Oman. 

On the occasion, they also expressed commitment to move ahead collaborating with each other in days ahead, according to a press note issued by the Embassy of Nepal in Muscat. “The Omani labour minister shared that Oman is willing to make further collaboration in order to increase the number of Nepali workers there.”

Envoy Dhakal briefed the minister about Oman-related reports submitted by Industry, Commerce, Labour and Consumer Welfare Committee under the House of Representatives after carrying out on-site visits to Gulf countries including Oman in the beginning of 2020.

On the occasion, second secretary at the Nepali Embassy in Oman Somesh Thapa, labour attaché Dinesh Dhakal, and office-bearers of Labour Ministry of Oman were also present.

Government extends long-haul transportation, flights operation schedule

 The government has continued the suspension of the operation of long-distance vehicles and domestic flights till September 16.

A meeting of the Council of Ministers held today decided to extend the suspension from earlier deadline of August 17. Earlier, the government has vowed to resume long-route transportation and domestic flight services from August 17 due to a sharp increase in coronavirus infections. 

Likewise, the cabinet has also decided to continue closure of schools and all other educational institutions across the country until further notice. “But the operation of international flights is resuming tomorrow, a schedule has also been released,” according to a cabinet minister. 

In the meeting, some ministers recommended to increase the number of Nepalis to from current 500 Nepalis per day. “The number has to be increased in case a particular company takes responsibility of sending Nepalis back home bearing all their costs of taking PCR tests, hotel quarantine facility among others,” they recommended.

The cabinet has also decided to grant labour permission to those seeking to go to overseas in foreign employment.

ILO Child Labour Convention achieves universal ratification

For the first time in the ILO’s history, an International Labour Convention has been ratified by all member States. “Convention No 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour achieved universal ratification, following ratification by the Kingdom of Tonga,” confirmed a press note issued by the International Labour Organsation (ILO)
Ambassador for the Kingdom of Tonga Titilupe Fanetupouvava’u Tuivakano, formally deposited the ratification instruments with ILO director-general Guy Ryder today, it reads, adding that the Convention is the most rapidly ratified Convention in the history of the organisation, since its adoption 21 years ago by the International Labour Conference.
“Universal ratification of Convention 182 is an historic first that means that all children now have legal protection against the worst forms of child labour,” ILO director-general Guy Ryder said, adding that it reflects a global commitment that the worst forms of child labour including slavery, sexual exploitation, the use of children in armed conflict or other illicit or hazardous work that compromises children’s health, morals or psychological wellbeing, have no place in our society. “Universal ratification of Convention 182 is an historic first.”
Secretary-General of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) Sharan Burrow welcomed the ratification. “Universal ratification of Convention 182 is a potent and timely reminder of the importance of ILO standards and the need for multilateral solutions to global problems,” she said, adding that child labour is a grievous violation of fundamental rights, and it is incumbent on the ILO’s constituents and the international community to ensure that this Convention is fully implemented, including through due diligence in global supply chains.
“The universal ratification of ILO Convention No 182 on the worst forms of child labour is an historic moment,” said secretary-general of the International Organisation of Employers (IoE) Roberto Suárez Santos. “Throughout the years, the IoE and its member organisations have supported the implementation of this Convention,” he said, adding that the business community is both aware of and acting on the need to do business with respect for children’s rights today. “This is even more urgent in the times of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
We cannot allow the fight against the worst form of child labour to backslide, he said, “Together we can work towards the end of child labour in all its forms.”
This universal ratification is a further step towards making more concrete the aspirations of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Kailash Satyarthi, when he said, “I dream of a world full of safe children and safe childhoods; …I dream of a world where every child enjoys the freedom to be a child.”
The ILO estimates that there are 152 million children in child labour , some 73 million of whom are in hazardous work the ILO press note claimes, adding that seventy per cent of all child labour takes place in agriculture and is mostly related to poverty and parents’ difficulties finding decent work. “Convention No 182 calls for the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including slavery, forced labour and trafficking.” It also prohibits the use of children in armed conflict, prostitution, pornography and illicit activities such as drug trafficking, and in hazardous work.
It is one of the ILO’s eight Fundamental Conventions. These cover the abolition of child labour, the elimination of forced labour, the abolition of work-related discrimination and the rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining. These principles are also covered by the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (1998).
Since the ILO’s founding in 1919, child labour has been a core concern. The organisation’s first director, Albert Thomas, described child labour as, “the exploitation of childhood which constitutes the evil… most unbearable to the human heart. Serious work in social legislation begins always with the protection of children.”
It is the focus of one of the ILO’s largest development cooperation programmes – the International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour and Forced Labour (IPEC+), which has supported over 100 countries in all continents.
The incidence of child labour and its worst forms dropped by almost 40 per cent between 2000 and 2016, as ratification rates of Convention No 182 and Convention No 138 – on minimum age to work – increased, and countries adopted effective laws and policies.
However, progress has slowed in recent years, particularly amongst the youngest age group (5-11 years) and in some geographical areas. With the Covid-19 pandemic, there is a real risk that years of progress will be reversed, leading to a potential increase in child labour for the first time in 20 years, unless appropriate action is taken.
“Ending child labour by 2025 in all its forms” is included under Target 8.7 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by all UN member states in 2015. The global partnership, Alliance 8.7, for which the ILO provides the secretariat, brings together over 250 partners and 21 Pathfinder Countries to coordinate, innovate and accelerate progress to end child labour, forced labour, human trafficking and modern slavery. The universal ratification of Convention No 182 demonstrates the will of all ILO member States to ensure that every child, everywhere, is free from child labour and its worst forms.
This landmark achievement comes just months before the start of the International Year for the Elimination of Child Labour in 2021, to be led by the ILO in collaboration with partners. Its aim is to raise awareness of the issue and to help accelerate the pace of progress.

Government, World Bank launch Youth Employment and Transformation Initiative Project

The ‘Youth Employment Transformation Initiative’ project has been jointly launched by minister of Labour, Employment and Social Security Rameshwor Raya Yadav and World Bank country director for Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka Faris Hadad-Zervos.
Financed by the World Bank to promote domestic employment, the project will enable poor and vulnerable youth gain access to employment, skills development and capacity building opportunities, according to a press note issued today by the multilateral development partner. Aligned with the Prime Minister Employment Programme, the $120 million project will be implemented over the next four years with a focus on improving employment services and labour market outcomes, especially for youth.
“With the onset of Covid-19 and the subsequent contraction of the global job market, Nepal’s labour market is also affected with a huge number of job losses. “In this context, result-driven implementation of the project at all three levels of the government is of critical importance,” minister of Labour, Employment and Social Security Yadav said, adding that the project plays a crucial role to expand the employment opportunities in the domestic labour market and to set up an automated system of Labour Information Bank and upgrade the Employment Management Information System by consolidating basic labour market information such as profile of the unemployed persons including knowledge, skills, experience and the potential sector for employment along with the demand and supply aspects of the labor market.
“In addition to the longer term goals of the project, as part of the World Bank’s Covid-19 response, the project funding is being frontloaded this year to support over 75,000 of the most vulnerable unemployed youth at the local level to earn 100 days of wages each through the creation of temporary employment opportunities in the maintenance and upgrading of public infrastructure,” Hadad-Zervos said, adding that working with the government, development partners and the private sector, the World Bank will seek to contribute to a long thread of engagements that align to make a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable people.
The project agreement was signed in November 2019 by the government (Finance Ministry) and the World Bank. Of the $120 million credit, about 90 per cent is allocated to the local levels to create jobs in the maintenance and upgrading of public infrastructure and public services for 100,000 unemployed youth, 60 per cent of whom will be women as per the project’s priority to inclusion. The project will support 753 Employment Service Centers at the local levels to strengthen the workforce and to provide services in registration, profiling, referral, temporary work placement and on-the-job training.

Livelihoods of more than 55 million domestic workers at risk due to Covid-19

Nearly three-quarters of domestic workers around the world – more than 55 million people – are at significant risk of losing their jobs and income due to lockdown and lack of effective social security coverage, according to new estimates by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
The vast majority – some 37 million – of these domestic workers are women. An assessment made at the beginning of June shows that the most affected region was Southeast Asia and the Pacific, with 76 per cent of domestic workers at risk, followed by the Americas (74 per cent) Africa (72 per cent) and Europe (45 per cent).
While domestic workers in both formal and informal employment have been affected, those in informal employment accounted for 76 per cent of those at risk of losing their jobs or working hours.
In countries with strict levels of lockdown, domestic workers, whether formally or informally employed, have been unable to go to work. But while some of those formally employed still had access to unemployment insurance, for domestic workers in informal employment staying home has meant losing their livelihoods with no safety net to fall back on, making it difficult for them to put food on the table.
The pandemic has exacerbated pre-existing issues. Only 10 per cent of domestic workers have access to social security, meaning no paid sick leave, guaranteed access to health care, employment injury benefits or unemployment insurance. Many domestic workers earn as little as 25 per cent of average wages, leaving them without savings in case of a financial emergency.
“The Covid-19 crisis  has exposed the particular vulnerability of informal domestic workers, emphasising the urgent need to ensure they are effectively included in labour and social protection” said ILO technical officer for Vulnerable Workers Claire Hobden said, adding that it disproportionately affects women who make up the vast majority of domestic workers worldwide.
In some regions domestic workers are predominantly migrants who rely on their pay to support their families in their countries of origin. Non-payment of wages and the closure of remittance services has left the families of migrant domestic workers at risk of poverty and hunger.
Live-in domestic workers have mostly continued to work, in confinement with their employers. However, reports suggest they have worked longer hours due to school closures and are carrying out more demanding cleaning tasks.
In other cases employers have stopped paying their live-in domestic workers, due to their own financial circumstances or a belief that domestic workers do not need their salaries since they cannot go out.
In some countries, where migrant domestic workers are required to live with their employers, some have been found on the streets after their employers dismissed them for fear of catching the virus. This puts them at risk of trafficking.
The ILO is working with domestic workers’ organisations and employers’ organisations to ensure the health and livelihoods of domestic workers. It is undertaking rapid assessments of the level and nature of the risks facing them, so that governments can devise policies that guarantee at least basic social security coverage, including access to essential health care and basic income security.
Twenty-nine countries have ratified ILO Convention 189 on decent work for domestic workers, which was adopted nine years ago by the International Labour Conference. Many more have taken concrete measures to extend labour and social protection coverage to domestic workers. The ILO has supported roughly sixty countries to close gaps in coverage.
While these measures have increased the number of domestic workers in formal employment, the overall rate of informality remains high. The ILO has called for efforts to formalise domestic work to be urgently accelerated in order to protect domestic workers from future shocks.