Labour minister calls on Asia–GCC nations to commit to safe, decent migration

KATHMANDU: Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security Sharat Singh Bhandari has urged all partner nations to commit to safe and decent migration.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the Asia–GCC Dialogue on the Implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) in Kathmandu today, Minister Bhandari called for collective action to advance safe, orderly and regular migration.

“Nepal is committed to protecting migrants’ human rights in line with international standards. Although we have mandated social security coverage for outbound migrant workers, ensuring access to pensions and benefits upon return, we still need to secure ongoing contributions to our social security schemes,” he said.

Noting that migration and remittances are a major economic driver and cornerstone of socio-economic development in countries such as Nepal, he added that millions of migrant workers contribute to the prosperity of labour-hosting states and foster strong economic and cultural ties.

“However, challenges such as exploitation, unsafe migration routes and limited reintegration opportunities persist. The GCM, with its 23 objectives, provides a comprehensive framework to address these issues through collaboration and respect for human rights.”

He urged all labour-hosting countries to adopt GCM standards and treat migrants as partners in development rather than merely as a labour force. Nepal, he said, has established minimum benchmarks for workers abroad and is expanding its reintegration programmes to leverage returnees’ skills and capital through social and economic initiatives at all 753 local levels from the next fiscal year.

“We also call on GCC countries to uphold minimum human rights standards, including access to healthcare and effective grievance mechanisms,” he said.

Highlighting GCM Objective 18’s emphasis on investment in skills development and mutual recognition of qualifications, Minister Bhandari proposed an Asia–GCC skills-recognition framework to facilitate labour mobility and reduce deskilling.

He further noted that Nepal enforces a zero-tolerance policy towards fraudulent recruitment agencies and proposed the establishment of an Asia–GCC task force to regulate agencies and eliminate exploitative practices, ensuring ethical migration corridors.

“Nepal views migration as a path to shared prosperity. Migrant workers are ambassadors of our common values, and Nepal calls for Asia–GCC cooperation to ensure safe, dignified and empowering migration,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, Ministry Secretary Krishna Hari Pushkar underscored the need for wider cooperation and shared commitment to implement the Global Compact for Migration amid evolving regional dynamics, notably the unrest between Iran and Israel and its impact on migration.

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