Migrant reintegration scheme on anvil

Kathmandu, Nov. 22

The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) is preparing a groundbreaking Gender-Responsive Migrant Reintegration Guide tailored specifically for Nepal's private sector.

The guide is said to be aligned with government directives and is expected to address the intricate challenges faced by returning migrant workers, with an emphasis on gender dynamics, said the FNCCI's President, Chandra Prasad Dhakal, at a workshop organised in the Capital on Wednesday.

FNCCI's guide aspires to be a significant contributor to the holistic development of returnee migrant workers, spotlighting the role of the private sector in shaping gender-sensitive reintegration initiatives for sustainable economic growth and development in Nepal.

According to the FNCCI, since the economic reintegration emerges as a linchpin for the sustainable development, tailored reintegration strategies are imperative, given challenges such as social alienation and unfamiliar economic landscapes.

Experts suggested for the establishment of Entrepreneurship Incubation Centers, aligning with global best practices to stimulate innovation and collaboration. Furthermore, strategic collaboration with industries is proposed to develop tailored skill development programmes, ensuring strict adherence to the Foreign Employment Act, 2064, said Hari Paudel, coordinator of the Develop Migration Reintegration Guidelines Nepal project.  

FNCCI is also suggested to engage with financial institutions to institute microfinance schemes specifically tailored to benefit returnee women entrepreneurs, drawing inspiration from successful international models.

In addition, the recommendation also include the creation of technology-driven job matching platforms, the formation of public-private-community partnerships focusing on industrial zones, and the provision of comprehensive counseling services through FNCCI chapters. The utilization of FNCCI's expansive global network for market linkages is encouraged, along with advocacy for specialized funds dedicated to women's empowerment within the framework of the Foreign Employment Welfare Fund (FEWF).

 According to the FNCCI, the reintegration framework is designed to ensure the seamless access of returnee migrant workers to social security schemes, the enhancement of their skills, and their successful integration into the local job market.

The framework further seeks to enhance the settlement of returnee migrants into communities by establishing mechanisms for psychosocial care, victim protection, and the effective operation of cooperative societies.

Speaking at the interaction programme, Secretary of the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security (MoLESS), Kewal Prasad Bhandari, said that the country should create an environment to hold the returnee migrants who return to Nepal with special skills and promote self-employment here.

Since countries like South Korea and Japan and organisations like the International Labour Organisation and United Nations are supporting the returnee migrant workers in Nepal, the government is also putting in efforts to forge collaborations with the private sector and development partners to support them in livelihood and integration aspects, said Bhandari.

According to him, since about two thirds of the population is involved in agriculture, reintegration programmes could begin from this sector.

President of the FNCCI, Chandra Prasad Dhakal, said that since there is no guidelines is created for the private sector in the country so far, it would help the private sector, government and the returnee migrant workers.

Entrepreneurship promotion is at the core of FNCCI's agenda, he said.

The guideline is also supported by the ILO.  

  Published in The Rising Nepal on 23 November 2023.