With the aim of improving employment scenario, the government has introduced National Employment Policy (NEP), 2015, replacing the Labor and Employment Policy, 2062. 

The Ministry of Labor and Employment (MoLE) has finalized the policy, which will focus on creating more job opportunities and discourage the trend of youths flying abroad for employment. 

Under the new policy, a separate ´National Labor and Employment Investigation Academy´ will be set up to constantly monitor labor and employment market of the country and provide policy advice to MoLE. 

“The NEP, 2015, is mainly introduced with the aim of creating productive and lucrative employment opportunities within the country and to produce skilled manpower,” informed MoLE Spokesperson Buddhi Bahadur Khadka. He also claimed that implementation of the policy would help produce skilled manpower who can compete in the international market.

Currently, almost 1,500 to 1,700 youths are leaving for foreign employment destinations due to lack of job opportunities at home. Most of them go to work as unskilled laborers. 

The newly-introduced act also aims at encouraging employment-friendly investments. Also, the policy will incorporate agriculture, manufacturing, construction, tourism, information-technology and water-resource/energy sectors. 

“This policy will even act as an umbrella policy to prepare strategies and work plan for concerned authorities,” added Khadka, adding, “The MoLE will not directly implement the policy.” 

Currently, Foreign Employment Act, 2064, and Foreign Employment Policy, 2068, are serving as tools to regularize and manage foreign employment. 

The Supreme Court had issued a mandamus order six years ago to formulate a national employment policy.

Published on: 3 March 2015 | Republica