Stakeholders call for positive narrative on foreign employment

KATHMANDU: Stakeholders have emphasised the need to construct a positive narrative about the foreign employment sector, saying it has made significant contributions to both the economy and social life.

The call came at the Deconstructing the Narrative of Foreign Employment programme, organised today by the National Network for Safe Migration (NNSM), where journalists and human rights activists attended, and speakers shared perspectives on the sector’s positive aspects.

NNSM Chairperson Advocate Krishna Prasad Neupane said migrants should be viewed through a humanitarian lens, adding that going abroad is not a crime and the state should consider the proper utilisation of skills and knowledge gained overseas.

Journalist Babita Basnet presented a working paper on the media’s perspective on foreign employment, concluding that negative news is usually prioritised while positive stories are neglected.

Satra Kumari Gurung, chairperson of POURAKHI Nepal, described the psychological discrimination she experienced in society in the initial days after returning from abroad. She said society still does not view women going into foreign employment positively and explained that she is leading a campaign through her organisation to change this mindset.

Gurung emphasised that foreign employment must be made safe, dignified and respectful of human rights.

(With inputs from RSS)