“Safe and Dignified Migration is Our Collective Commitment”

June 25, Kathmandu: Minister for Labour, Employment, and Social Security, Sharat Singh Bhandari, has called for a collective commitment to ensure safe and dignified migration.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the Asia-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Dialogue on Safe, Dignified, and Orderly Migration held in Kathmandu today, he urged all partner nations to collaborate and support the implementation of safe, orderly, and regular migration.

Expressing gratitude to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and all participating delegates, Minister Bhandari emphasised that such dialogues foster a shared vision for migration, promoting human dignity and human rights.

He highlighted the importance of such platforms in strengthening mutual understanding between labour-sending and labour-receiving countries, particularly for nations like Nepal.

Minister Bhandari stressed the need to implement the 23 objectives of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM) while ensuring minimum human rights standards for all nations. Noting the significant contributions of millions of Nepali migrant workers to the prosperity of GCC countries, he urged viewing migrant workers not just as labourers but as partners in development.

Referencing GCM Objective 18, he underscored the importance of skill development and mutual recognition, proposing the establishment of an Asia-GCC Skills Recognition Framework to facilitate the smooth flow of skilled labour. He also called for the formation of an Asia-GCC Joint Task Force to coordinate policies and combat fraudulent practices in migration.

Additionally, Minister Bhandari proposed the creation of a joint reintegration fund with GCC countries to utilise the skills of returning migrant workers, transforming them into agents of development. He presented three actionable proposals for enhanced collaboration.

“Our workers in GCC countries are not just labourers,” he said. “They are ambassadors of our shared values. Ensuring safe, dignified, and productive migration is our collective responsibility.”

On the occasion, Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Krishnahari Pushkar, highlighted the necessity of cooperation and shared commitment to implement the GCM, particularly in light of evolving regional dynamics, including recent tensions between Iran and Israel and the resulting migration challenges.