Migrant Rights and Decent Work (MiRiDeW) - Phase II

Background

Foreign employment is one of the most important and sought-after livelihoods choice for a large number of Nepalese people, and this has brought both opportunities and challenges in the lives of migrants and their families. Despite positive contributions, international migration remains risky as Nepali migrants are often faced with situations of exploitation, fraud and violation of their rights in the countries of destinations (CoDs). Due to this, the Government of Nepal’s support mechanisms for workers abroad need further attention and action to protect Nepali migrants’ right. The embassies and consulates in most of the CoDs are often understaffed and also lack enough resources to provide rapid services to migrant workers in distress. Keeping these issues in mind, the Government of Nepal is determined to strengthen the labour migration governance and has undertaken a number of crucial steps to support Nepali migrants, for instance, strengthening bilateral agreements/MoUs with CoDs, and is also working towards strengthening consular support for migrants, an area of priority for Government of Nepal.

Objectives

The Migrant Rights and Decent Work (MiRiDEW) project Phase I, implemented by the ILO Nepal with support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security (MoLESS), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), the National Planning Commission (NPC), employers’ and workers’ organizations, and civil society organizations, concluded successfully in June 2023.

Drawing upon the lessons learned, and building on the successes from Phase I, the MiRiDEW Project Phase II is currently under implementation. The project’s overarching goal is to enhance the economic and social well-being of migrant workers and their families, through improved access to decent employment opportunities and protection of their human and labour rights.

Outcomes and outputs

Outcome 1: The Government of Nepal strengthens its policy framework and institutional mechanisms to ensure protection of the rights of migrant workers, in particular women migrant workers.

• Output 1.1: The Government of Nepal and concerned stakeholders have institutional and human capacity to strengthen the national policy and legislative framework on labour migration.
• Output 1.2: The Government of Nepal reviews, designs and implements bilateral labour migration agreements and engages in regional and global policy dialogues.

Outcome 2: Nepali migrant workers in countries of destinations have increased access to information and quality migration services.

• Output 2.1: Nepali diplomatic missions and consulates in countries of destination have the capacity to provide quality services to migrant workers.
• Output 2.2: Migrants workers have information about the diversity of migration services in countries of destination.

For further information please contact:

Ms Roni Pradhan Dhaubhadel

National Project Coordinator

Email: [email protected]