📋 Tender Overview
Remittances sent home by over 4 million migrant workers have significantly contributed to the economic development of Nepal. The proposed project will enhance the capacities of the Government of Nepal and strengthen mechanisms to better protect the rights of workers abroad. There will be a special focus on women’s need and the adverse effects of climate change exacerbating the vulnerability of migrants. The project capitalises on Switzerland’s longstanding engagement on labour migration in Nepal.
Country/region Topic Period Budget
Nepal
Migration
Labour migration
Migration generally (development aspects and partnerships)
01.07.2023 - 31.12.2026
CHF 1’852’000
The project in brief
Background Labour migration is a key feature of the Nepali economy, contributing to more than 20% of GDP. The top destinations for Nepali migrant workers are Malaysia and the Gulf States. While migration has the potential to contribute to the socio-economic development both in countries of origin and destination, concerns remain about the associated social and economic costs borne by the migrant workers. Migrant workers often suffer from human rights abuses, labour exploitation and financial distress due to accumulated debts throughout the journey. Women migrant workers are at a disproportionate risk of facing abuses in recruitment and employment. The Government of Nepal has strived to work towards ensuring safe labour migration for Nepali. However, gaps remain in terms of revision and implementation of policies, horizontal and vertical coordination amongst stakeholders, and gender-responsive policies. In addition, capacities of public service providers and service seekers are often limited, in terms of knowledge, language and digital literacy for example.
Objectives Migrants and their families improve their economic and social well-being and are better supported and protected by government institutions.
Target groups Direct target group: Government of Nepal – the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and their diplomatic missions and consulates in countries of destination and the Ministry of Labour Employment and Social Security. Indirect target group: Migrant workers, particularly women.
Medium-term outcomes Outcome 1) The Government of Nepal strengthens its policy framework and institutional mechanisms to ensure protection of the rights of migrant workers, in particular women migrant workers. Outcome 2) Nepali migrant workers in countries of destinations have increased access to information and quality migration services.
Results Expected results: Output 1.1) The Government of Nepal and concerned stakeholders have institutional and human capacity to strengthen the national policy and legislative framework on labour migration. Output 1.2) The Government of Nepal reviews, designs and implements bilateral labour migration agreements and engages in regional and global policy dialogues. Output 2.1) Nepali diplomatic missions and consulates in countrie
