KATHMANDU: Minister for Youth, Labour and Employment Ramji Yadav has said the government is committed to making domestic workers safe, organised and dignified.
Speaking at a meeting of the House of Representatives’ Industry and Commerce, and Labour and Consumer Interest Committee on Tuesday, Minister Yadav expressed confidence that many problems faced by workers would be addressed after the existing Labour Act is amended.
He said the government would also address the risks faced by domestic workers employed within the country, noting that their situation remains vulnerable alongside that of Nepali domestic workers working abroad.
The committee held discussions with stakeholders on the management of workers through outsourcing arrangements.
Committee Chair Rahbar Ansari said the committee was concerned about protecting workers’ rights and eliminating malpractices in labour outsourcing.
He expressed serious concern over the practice of using the Public Procurement Act to outsource labour in both public and private sectors, saying it has contributed to workers being deprived of their rights.
Ansari said no institution should be allowed to evade its responsibility towards workers in the name of labour outsourcing.
During the meeting, lawmaker Kshitij Thebe proposed that the committee conduct an on-site monitoring visit to countries including Qatar, Kuwait and the UAE, citing the increasingly vulnerable situation of Nepali domestic workers employed there.
Lawmaker Ranju Neupane called for an end to labour exploitation of workers employed through outsourcing companies. She suggested forming an expert committee to collect data and prepare a study report, while stressing that amendments to the Labour Act should put workers’ rights at the centre.
Lawmaker Prakash Singh Karki said the state should ensure not only fair remuneration but also workplace safety for domestic workers.
Similarly, lawmaker Som Sharma called for policies that would ensure worker-friendly legislation and make companies accountable.
Lawmaker Matrika Prasad Yadav, Buddhiprasad Pant, Aravind Sah, Kalibahadur Sahakari and Srijana Shrestha, among others, also spoke in favour of strengthening protection of workers’ rights.
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