Labor Approval Granted Same Day of Application; Orientation Training to Be Conducted Online

Summary of the News
The Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Social Security has introduced a 10-point reform action plan. From now on, labor approval will be granted on the same day as the application is submitted. The ministry also plans to launch a campaign to enroll all workers in the Social Security Fund.

March 29, Kathmandu – The Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Social Security has formulated a 10-point reform action plan. This plan aligns with the government’s agenda of 100 tasks in 100 days. According to the ministry spokesperson, Pitambar Ghimire, labor approval will now be issued on the same day an application is received. The token system previously used for labor approval will be eliminated to facilitate same-day approval.

Additionally, pre-departure orientation training materials will be prepared as audio-visual content in accordance with the curriculum and made available through digital platforms. The plan includes transitioning the entire pre-departure orientation training to an online-based system. Furthermore, a campaign will be launched to enroll all workers in the contribution-based Social Security Fund, full implementation of the minimum wage will be ensured, and the labor dispute resolution plan will be internalized to make the labor dispute call center more effective and organized.

The plan also includes conducting risk assessments in industrial establishments to promote occupational health and safety (OSH), boosting production and entrepreneurship to create internal employment opportunities, and expanding bilateral labor agreements with an additional five countries. There is also an initiative to identify and advance contemporary revisions to labor-related laws. These reform measures are expected to enhance labor administration by making it more transparent, efficient, and technology-friendly, thereby strengthening the protection of workers’ rights and interests.