Decent work in Nepal

The Nepal Decent Work Country Programme 2018-2022 serves as the main vehicle for delivering ILO support in Nepal and to realize the overall goal of decent work for all. It reflects the priorities of the tripartite constituents in Nepal, as expressed through rounds of discussions and consultations. It is also aligned with the national development priorities of the government, strategic priorities of the ILO and the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) 2018-2022 .

Currently, the office provides support to the government and social partners which promotes employment-centric and inclusive growth through improved labour market governance, industrial relations, and rights in the workplace. Gender equality, tripartism, social dialogue, and international labour standards are crosscutting issues mainstreamed under the three priority areas, which allows the ILO Nepal to play an important role in developing a constructive and congenial social partnership involving the Government, workers’ and employers’ organizations.

With the technical assistance of the ILO Nepal, a National Employment Policy was prepared and approved by the Government in March 2015, and other key legal instruments such as the Labour Act, Social Security Act, Foreign Employment Act, and Bonded Labour Act were also finalized and are waiting for endorsement. Also with the ILO assistance, a comprehensive programme for the institutional building of the Social Security Fund Secretariat under the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security is under full-fledged implementation, and actuarial studies are ongoing for the design and establishment of five priority Social Security schemes under the new Social Security Act.

The ILO Nepal activities are carried out in partnership with the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty, National Planning Commission, provincial and local governments.  Intense and effective cooperation with employer and worker organizations is mainstreamed in the implementation of all programmes.