Roshan Sedhai

In a bid to provide entire foreign employment related services from one location, the government has initiated efforts to build a labour village in the Capital.

The Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE) has leased 22 ropanis land of Nepal Trust, an institution to look after royal properties, at Soltimode in Kathmandu for the purpose.

The village, formally inaugurated by Labour State Minister Tek Bahadur Gurung this week, has begun providing services for Qatar and Malaysia sections of the Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE). The ministry plans to relocate several governmental and non-governmental offices including the Foreign Employment Promotion Board to the new location.

The government also envisions to bring private stakeholders including recruiting agencies, pre-departure orientation, training and health centers along with non-profit organisations working for welfare of migrant workers under the roof of the new village.

“The village will free workers from unnecessary traveling and financial burden while ensuring transparency in the service,” said Badri Karki, DoFE spokesperson. Karki said his office is even planning to establish a guest house for the workers coming in from other parts of the country.

Stakeholders believe the planned village will help in speeding overseas related service. The village will offer the workers various services ranging from work approval, counseling and training to legal and financial assistance from the government.

Workers, currently, are compelled to spend a hefty amount in traveling, food and accommodation due to the scattered service entirely centered in the Capital. DoFE, a frontline office that provides service to around 2,000 workers each day, has reportedly been providing service from a congested private building. The department also falls short in human resources, a common problem faced by many other concerned bodies.

MoLE Secretary Suresh Man Shrestha asserted that the village will be helpful in providing organised service to workers. He said that the presence of entire stakeholders under one roof will benefit workers, discouraging anomalies in the system.

Shrestha said that his ministry is working to shift other governmental services as soon as possible, while non-governmental offices will be introduced gradually. “It will take some more time to develop it as a full fledged labour village as we are yet to carry out the infrastructural activities,” said Shrestha.

The DoFE has begun homework to extend its service outside the valley after recently initiating a country wise service centre for major labour destinations including Malaysia, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Published on: 14 April 2014 | The Kathmandu Post