Nepal's proposal for a new labor agreement during the visit of the Qatari Emir

On the occasion of Qatari Emir Al-Thani's visit to Nepal, which is going to be held in Nepal on May 11-12, Nepal has proposed a new labor agreement with Qatar. The Nepali side has reached a state of readiness to conclude a labor agreement. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not announced the visit of the Emir of Qatar. Qatari Emir is about to visit Nepal for the first time.

Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Security Dol Prasad Aryal has conveyed the message that Nepal is ready to sign a labor agreement with the Qatari ambassador to Nepal, Mishal Bin Mohammad LAE Ansari. Minister Aryal said in a courtesy meeting held at the Labor Office on Tuesday that it is necessary to revise the labor agreement made 19 years ago. "There was a labor agreement between Nepal and Qatar 19 years ago. Many things have changed. According to the current environment, it seems necessary to make an agreement," Labor spokesperson Gobind Rizal said to Ikantipur, "The Minister of Labor proposed this issue to the ambassador.

Tuesday Ambassador of Qatar to Nepal Mishal Bin Mohammad L AE Ansari in a meeting with Labor Minister Dol Prasad Aryal. Photo Courtesy: Ministry of Labor

Nepal has wanted to revise the labor agreement with Qatar since 2017. For this, joint technical committee meetings have been held several times between the high labor officials of the two countries. Qatar has recently reformed the kafala system (sponsorship system) and made the labor market flexible. Migrant workers working in Qatar have removed the Khruz (Exit Permit) required to leave Qatar. There are three lakh 67 thousand 389 Nepali workers in Qatar. Out of which the number of men is 3 lakh 51 thousand 834 and the number of women workers is 15 thousand 555 .

Labor spokesperson Rizal said that he wants to finalize the labor agreement during the Amir's visit. "We are currently in discussions regarding the labor agreement." But we have not reached the decision to sign the agreement,' said Rizal, 'We are doing more homework.' Nepal has already sent it to Qatar government. Naresh Vikram Dhakal, the Nepalese ambassador to Qatar, said that Qatar is positive to enter into a labor agreement. Qatar is a major destination country for Nepal. Both sides are positive to make a labor agreement in this visit . But, we have very little time," he said, "if it doesn't happen in this visit, the way will be opened as soon as possible."

Minister of Labor Aryal expects Qatari support in the development of skilled manpower production. We want to send skilled Nepali workers to employment and make Nepali workers skilled. Therefore, we expect your support in the development of the skills of the workers," Minister Aryal said in a meeting with the Qatari ambassador. He said that he is sure that the Nepali workers working in Qatar will be treated like other workers. I am confident that Qatar has treated Nepali workers equally. Qatar has practiced decent and orderly labor . Which is commendable," he said.

Qatari Ambassador Ansari said that Nepal is Qatar's second largest source country and said that Qatar is always ready to support Qatar for skill development of Nepali workers. He requested to bring a clear proposal for the support to be done from Qatar for the development of skilled manpower . What is the skill development of Nepali workers? Should, bring an offer . We are ready to provide all kinds of support," he said.