KATHMANDU: Political parties have unveiled their election manifestos targeting the House of Representatives polls scheduled for March 5, with a notable focus on foreign employment amid rising unemployment in Nepal.
With a large number of youths working abroad, migrant workers and their families are increasingly seen as a decisive voter base. Major parties have accordingly addressed issues concerning foreign employment in their manifestos, though with varying depth and commitment.
Congress presents structured, long-term plan
Among the major parties, Nepali Congress has provided a comparatively detailed and structured roadmap on foreign employment.
The party has pledged to reduce the number of outbound migrant workers by 50 percent within the next five years. It has proposed state guardianship for migrant workers from pre-departure to return, including pre-departure orientation and counseling, skill-based training in coordination with local governments, free health check-ups, and a simplified labor approval process.
The Congress has also committed to ensuring the rights and safety of migrant workers, facilitating concessional loans for those seeking foreign employment, strengthening diplomatic missions abroad, and linking the skills and capital of returnees with domestic development initiatives.
Among its key pledges are a ‘Gold Card’ to be provided at the airport for returnees who complete their contract period, 15 percent share allocation in national pride and major hydropower projects, special savings schemes in banks, and dedicated remittance projects.
UML announces cash incentive for remittance senders
Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) (CPN-UML) has also targeted migrant workers in its manifesto, announcing that it will deposit Rs 5,000 annually into the bank accounts of those sending remittances to Nepal.
While UML has not addressed foreign employment from as many angles as the Congress, it has pledged to end the practice of taking high-interest loans for foreign employment, provide necessary training and skill development, and support returnees in starting enterprises based on their acquired skills.
NCP and RSP outline similar commitments
The Nepal Communist Party (NCP) and Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) have also included provisions addressing migrant workers in their manifestos.
The NCP has pledged to make foreign employment dignified by sending only skilled and semi-skilled workers, ensuring minimum wages and rights, utilizing remittances for productive investment, and launching special programs for returnees. It has also proposed coordination among federal, provincial and local governments to provide information, legal assistance, financial literacy and skill development services. Additionally, the party has committed to ensuring voting rights for Nepalis residing abroad.
Similarly, the RSP has pledged to protect the interests of migrant workers by making recruitment companies transparent, rule-based and fully accountable, and by taking strict action against fraud and overcharging.
The RSP manifesto also includes provisions such as issuing special identity cards to remittance senders, offering concessions in health, education and social services, and providing concessional bank loans—based on local government recommendation or guarantee—to Dalit and marginalized families seeking foreign employment.
While all major parties have addressed foreign employment in their manifestos, observers note that the depth of commitment and clarity of long-term plans vary significantly among them.
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