Government attempting to resolve issues in foreign employment: DPM Pokhrel

            Kathmandu, Sept 24: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Ishwor Pokhrel has said the government is striving to resolve problems existing in the area of foreign employment.

            In his address to the 27^th AGM of Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies here today, the Deputy Prime Minister urged foreign employment entrepreneurs to come up recommendations suggesting clear ways for solution to issues facing the sector.

            Stating that if they (agents) are facing difficulties due to some policy-level provisions made by the government, he said discussions to that end could be held for the resolution.

            He urged them to put the issues point-wise in a right place, assuring of full support on behalf of the government to find a solution. 

            The DPM spoke on the need of making foreign employment disciplined, decent and systematic. He was of the view of sorting out issues concerning the foreign employment through dialogues.

            As he said, the government should consult with stakeholders concerned while making policies and decisions. 

            Impact and outcomes of foreign employment were of a larger scale, the Deputy Prime Minister, added seeking discussions about impact of foreign employment on national economy and social, cultural and personal life of peoples.

            Also speaking on the occasion, Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security Gokarna Bista said the government was never intended to cause trouble to foreign entrepreneurs. He pledged to make correction if any weaknesses remained there on part of bodies concerned.

            “The government has no animosity with foreign employment agents and I will work for the improvement in this sector until I will be in the post. I am ready to listen to concern of foreign employment agents one-to-one or in a group, but they must be practical,” the Minister said.

            He promised to accept their suggestions, calling for making bilateral discussions relevant and meaningful.

            The government must hear people’s problems as well. Millions of youths are out of home in search of jobs.  It is a responsibility of the government to make their lives safe and secure, according to him.   

            Stating that Nepal had promised in the international forum to make foreign employment systematic and safe, he highlighted the need of making migration sector more transparent, safe, and decent.

            Department of Foreign Employment Director General Dr Bhisma Kumar Bhusal called on foreign employment agents to join hands with the government in efforts for system improvements.

            Association general secretary Saroj Kumar Pokhrel said the Association was committed to the protection and promotion of rights of foreign employment agents. 

            He expressed his concern that government failed to address their issues properly.

            Election of NAFEA new leadership today

            Meanwhile, the election to the new leadership of Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies (NAFEA) is taking place today.

            Six hundred and fifty eight delegates have registered their names for voting in the election. Eight hundred and fifty four manpower companies are registered but 196 of them have not send their representatives with the increment in the deposit that the manpower agencies are required to keep while registering.

            Saroj Kumar Pokharel has fielded his candidacy for the post of president from the progressive panel close to the NCP and Sanghiya Samajbadi Party.

            Similarly, Hari Bahadur Pandey Chhetri, Muktinath Adhikari, Akhter Hussain, Ram Chandra Giri, Sanju Gurung and Tej Maya Limbu (Teju) have fielded their candidacy for the post of First Vice President, the Second Vice President, the Third Vice President, the General Secretary, Secretary and Treasurer respectively from the joint foreign employment agencies.

            Hom Prasad Timilsina, Dalbir Bhandari, Om Bahadur Neupane, Sarita Ghale, Som Bahadur Tamang, Baburam Khadka, Noor Mohammad Miyan, Dorje Sherpa, Kedarnath Adhikari and Birendra Kumar Yadav have given the candidacy for the post of Member.

            Likewise, Bishnu Prasad Gaire has stood for the post of President of NAFEA from the Professional Nepal Democratic Foreign Employment Agencies’ Forum close to the Nepali Congress.

            Kamal Tamang, Kaml Dev Malla, Kishor Kumar KC, Sujit Shrestha, Meghnath Bhurtel and Indira Gurung have registered their candidature for the post of the First Presidemnt, the Second President, the Third President, the General Secretary, Secretary and Treasurer respectively from this panel.

            Dinesh Kumar Rawal, Karna Raj Katuwal, Surendra Aryal, Harka Bahadur Limbu, Bijaya Lama, Babu Lal Magar, Keshav Raj Neupane, Vhhabilal Bhattarai, Janga Bahadur Ijam and Laxman Poudel have fielded their candidacy for the post of Member.

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