Sunday, December 24, 2023

ILO launches Decent Work Country Programme in Nepal

 Kathmandu, Dec. 22: 

The International Labour Organisation (ILO), the Government of Nepal, the employers’ and the workers’ organisations in Nepal jointly launched the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) for Nepal, 2023-2027 recently. 

The DWCP for Nepal is built on the pillars of Jobs, Rights, and Partners, outlines a comprehensive plan for the next five years, the ILO informed. 

The programme aims to create employment opportunities, foster sustainable enterprises and enhance social security. 

According to the ILO, it places a strong emphasis on International Labour Standards, focusing on fundamental principles and rights at work, and commits to strengthening government, employers’, and workers’ organisations to facilitate effective social dialogue.

Speaking at a programme organised in the capital to launch the programme on Wednesday, ILO’s Country Director, Numan Özcan, said that the DWCP was a reflection of the shared ambition of ILO, government, workers, and employers. 

“It is a compass guiding us to create opportunities for productive work, ensuring fair income, workplace security and social protection,” he said. 

Speaking on the occasion, UN Resident Coordinator, Hanaa Singer- Hamdy said that if Nepal is to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets and have a smooth and sustainable graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC), all need to work together to effectively create more and better jobs in Nepal. She stressed the need to devise a resilient policy to benefit from the imminent graduation of Nepal from the least developed countries.

Kewal Prasad Bhandari, Secretary at the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, called for a strong commitment from all the partners and stakeholders for the effective and successful implementation of the DWCP as it would help in achieving the 2030 agenda. 

Likewise, Chandra Prasad Dhakal, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), said that Nepal was currently facing economic turbulence and that graduation from LDC also comes with potential challenges. 

“The DWCP at this critical point represents both our vision for overcoming existing challenges, and our hope for a better future. The DWCP is a document created through tripartite collaboration and is perhaps unique among country programmes across development agencies,” he said. 

Binod Shrestha, President of the Joint Trade Union Coordination Centre (JTUCC), stated that the implementation of labour-related laws, regulations, and international labour standards proved to be inadequate, resulting in workers being deprived of their fundamental labour rights. 

Despite the establishment of a contribution-based social security system, a significant number of employers, including contractual employees within government institutions, have yet to implement it. We must take on the responsibility of bringing all workers into the social security system during the upcoming DWCP period, said Shrestha. 

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 23 December 2023.  

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