Promotion of labour standards is at the forefront of the Decent Work Country Programme for Nepal. The ILO’s close partnership with the tripartite constituents has led to the ratification of the eleven Conventions, including seven of the eight fundamental Conventions. The ratification of fundamental Convention 87 is currently under active consideration.
Similarly, trade unions are demanding that the Government ratify ILO Conventions on Maternity Protection (No. 183) and Social Protection (No. 102). Employers’ organizations are also advocating for the ILO Convention on Termination of Employment (No. 158).
The Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the Government and the Maoists in November 2006 provides for the respect for “labour rights determined by the International Labour Organization (ILO)”. The 2007 Interim Constitution provides for the right to employment and social security, right to form trade unions and right for collective bargaining.
The ILO provides both technical and financial assistance, where possible, to the tripartite constituents to promote and implement international labour standards and capacity building of its tripartite constituents.
The latest Convention that Nepal ratified was the ILO Convention on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples’ Rights (No. 169). ILO has received funding support from the Danish and Norwegian governments to implement the Convention in collaboration with the government and indigenous peoples’ organizations in Nepal.