KATHMANDU: Foreign Minister D. Arzu Rana Deuba, who is currently in Oman for the 8th Indian Ocean Conference and bilateral meetings, held discussions on Tuesday with the heads of Nepali missions in Oman and the Gulf Coordination Council.
The meeting, which took place in the presence of senior mission officials, focused on issues related to Nepali migrant workers, economic diplomacy, and ways to enhance Nepal’s foreign employment sector.
According to the Nepali Embassy in Oman, a virtual meeting was organized with the participation of the Nepali ambassador, acting consul general, deputy head of mission, labor counselor, labor attaché, and other officials working in the region.
The discussions covered key issues such as the rescue, repatriation, assistance, insurance and compensation for Nepali workers, as well as challenges related to shelter management and handling the bodies of deceased workers.
The meeting also touched upon various aspects of economic, cultural, and public diplomacy, including trade, investment, tourism, cultural promotion, and employment expansion.
Other topics discussed included strengthening people-to-people ties, collaboration with Nepali communities and social organizations, and the efficient management of resources available at Nepal’s foreign missions.
During the discussions, Rana reiterated the Nepali government’s commitment to making foreign employment safer, more organized, and dignified.
She highlighted that diplomatic missions have a crucial role to play in addressing the problems faced by Nepali workers and ensuring their rights and welfare are protected.
She directed mission officials to be proactive in identifying and resolving labor-related issues, stressing that foreign employment should be made more attractive by addressing long-term structural problems. She also instructed that service delivery at missions—including the verification of work requisitions—should be made more economical, transparent, and technology-friendly in line with the government’s policy of promoting digital governance.
“The Nepali missions abroad must take the lead in promoting economic diplomacy for Nepal’s overall development, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is committed to removing any obstacles that hinder this process,” she said.
Following the official meeting, Foreign Minister engaged with representatives of various Nepali organizations in Oman, including embassy volunteers and community leaders.
During the interaction, she urged all Nepali nationals working abroad to uphold Nepal’s reputation and work with honesty and integrity.
She assured the community that the government is continuously working on policy, institutional, and legal reforms to safeguard the rights and interests of Nepali migrant workers. The minister acknowledged the concerns raised by community representatives and reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing them through diplomatic channels.
In honor of the visiting delegation, Nepali Ambassador to Oman, Dornath Aryal, hosted a dinner for the Foreign Minister and her team.
The foreign minister is scheduled to return to Nepal on Wednesday after concluding her official visit.
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