National action plan on business and human rights launched

Kathmandu, Jan. 23

The Ministry Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security (MoLESS) has launched the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (NAP-BHR), which is termed as a significant milestone in promoting responsible business and strengthening human rights standards in Nepal.

Sharat Singh Bhandari, Minister of the Labour, launched the National Action Plan (NAP) at a programme organised by the Ministry and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) which provided technical support for the formulation of the action plan.

The NAP-BHR was initially endorsed by the government on 27 December 2023. "It is a clear commitment from the Government of Nepal to promote economic development while safeguarding the rights of its citizens and the environment," said the Minister.

“The private sector affects the daily lives of every individual in Nepal, For this reason, it is important to ensure that businesses respect human rights throughout their operations,” he added.

The NAP was developed in alignment with national provisions and commitments to human rights, as well as international human rights standards like the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) – the most authoritative and widely adopted set of principles for responsible business, unanimously endorsed by the UN Human Rights Council in 2011.

It outlines expectations and duties of the government and businesses in Nepal to respect, protect, and fulfil human rights through a comprehensive set of actions to across six thematic areas – labour rights, migrant workers’ rights, consumer protection, environment and Indigenous People’s rights, women and children’s rights, and non-discrimination, gender and social inclusion.

During the launch event, there was a unified call for collaboration and coordination for the successful implementation of the NAP.

“This milestone presents a clear opportunity for diverse stakeholders to come together to enhance responsible business through a collaborative process over the next five years,” said Ayshanie Labé, UNDP Resident Representative for Nepal. “UNDP remains committed to supporting the Government of Nepal in implementing the National Action Plan,” she said.

The National Action Plan aims to support companies in managing human rights risks within their operations and supply chains, ensuring they are prepared for an accelerating global shift toward responsible business conduct.

Increasingly, leading global economies are taking action to promote responsible supply chains, for example through the Government of Japan’s Guidelines on Respecting Human Rights in Responsible Supply Chains or the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. The adoption of the National Action Plan by the Government of Nepal sends a strong narrative to investors that Nepal is a good place to do business.

The National Action Plan is the outcome of collaboration between MoLESS, UNDP in Nepal, and other partners, supported by the Government of Japan and the Government of Norway.

This collaborative effort adopted a rigorous, participatory approach, including a series of consultation workshops, focus group discussions, and technical working group discussions to solicit feedback from businesses, civil society organizations (CSOs), international experts, and others on drafts of the action plan to ensure its quality and effectiveness, said the MoLESS. 

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 24 January 2024.