NRNA Urges Government to Establish ‘Shelter Houses’ for the Rescue of Migrant Workers
The Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) has called on the Government of Nepal to immediately establish shelter houses in various countries to aid the rescue of migrant workers facing difficulties abroad. NRNA Vice President Khagendra Nyaupane emphasized the need for the government to provide official recognition to the association’s representatives overseas and appoint them as unpaid labor envoys. Participants at the conference stressed that foreign employment should be dignified, mandating compulsory skill-based training for workers before deployment abroad and ensuring reintegration support for returnee workers. (Saugat 31, Kathmandu)
In countries with large Nepali labor populations, the NRNA has requested the government to set up shelter houses to provide immediate rescue and safe accommodation for workers in distress. During the “Safe Foreign Employment and Reintegration” session of the ongoing NRNA Asia Pacific Regional Conference held in Guangzhou, China from Saturday, participants highlighted the lack of safe emergency housing for workers in crisis. This deficiency complicates rescue efforts, including those led by NRNA representatives, thus underlining the urgent need to establish shelter houses.
Furthermore, to ensure foreign employment is safe, organized, dignified, and rights-based, demands were raised to address issues related to worker security, fraud, human trafficking, exploitation, and unsafe migration in West Asia and other Asian countries hosting Nepali workers. Recommendations included implementing information dissemination, legal aid, and protection programs; establishing shelters, hospitals, and skill training centers in major destination countries such as Malaysia; and making effective use of the Foreign Employment Relief Fund. Vice President Khagendra Nyaupane underscored that governments in countries with significant Nepali labor populations should take direct responsibility for establishing these shelter houses.
He further stated that Nepali workers must receive skill training before being sent abroad. Although NRNA representatives have been providing immediate support, the absence of formal legal recognition presents challenges. Therefore, they have urged the government to officially recognize NRNA representatives as unpaid labor envoys. NRNA Chair Dr. Hemraj Sharma pointed out that ongoing discussions on expanding efforts in the foreign employment sector require comprehensive dialogue on these critical issues.
