Qatar is top hirer of Nepali migrant workers

KATHMANDU, JUL 18 - 2012

Qatar has displaced Malaysia as the top recruiter of Nepali migrant workers.

A total of 103,371 Nepali individuals went to Qatar in 2011-12, whereas Malaysia hired 98,339 Nepalis, according to the Department of Foreign Employment data.

Workers’ departure to Malaysia declined by 7.14 percent in 2011-12, mainly the due to legalisation programme carried out by Malaysian government.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait made the top five recipients of Nepali migrant workers. Saudi Arabia offered employment to 80,380 Nepalis, while the UAE and Kuwait took in 54,294 and 23,790 individuals, respectively.

According to the department, 384,198 individuals left the country for overseas jobs in last fiscal year. The number is the highest in a fiscal year so far.

Political instability and lack of job opportunities in Nepal are prompting more youth to opt for foreign employment.

The department’s statistics clearly show that a majority of workforce entering job market are opting for overseas jobs.

According to government statistics, 400,000 fresh workers enter the domestic job market annually.

And, if the numbers of repeat migrant workers are taken into account, more than 530,000 workers left country for overseas jobs last year. A total of 146,140 individuals obtained re-entry permission from the department last fiscal year. “The number of outbound workers is increasing each year, primarily due to the lack of job opportunities in the country,” said Gyanu Prasad Gaire, vice-president of the Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies. He said comparatively good salary in international job markets was attracting Nepali youth towards foreign employment.

Foreign employment expert Ganesh Gurung said Tarai youth are getting more attracted towards countries other than India for foreign employment.

“A huge number of youth from Tarai and even those losing their jobs in Nepali industries are found leaving for employment in the international labour market,” he said.

Top five labour destinations

Country  >  2010-11 >    2011-12  >  Change %

Qatar  >  102,966  >  103,371  >  0.39

Malaysia  >  105,906  >  98,339  >  -7.14

Saudi Arabia  >  71,116  >  80,380  >  13.02

The UAE  >  44,464  >  54,294 >   22.10

Kuwait   > 15,187  >  23,790  >  56.64


Workers Departure for overseas jobs

Year   >  No.of Workers

2011-12  >  384,198

2010-11  >  354,716

2009-10  >  294,054

2008-09  >  219,965

2007-08  >  249,051

Source: The Kathmandu Post

Labour unrest, frequent strikes hits industries

KATHMANDU, MAY 31: 

The private sector blamed labour unrest, frequent strikes and energy deficiency as major bottlenecks in creating an investment-friendly environment that has hit industrial growth.

The current political turmoil, which has been created due to the failure to promulgate a new constitution, has further fuelled uncertainty in the industrial sector, said president of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Suraj Vaidya in an interaction programme organised by the Finance Ministry here today.

The labour unrest and strikes will continue since the political parties have failed to ensure stability through a new constitution, he added. “The private sector which was optimistic about attracting more investment in the productive sector utilising the opportunity of the Investment Year has been discouraged with the latest political developments.”

The garment industry has been compelled to cancel orders due to the irrational demands and threats from workers, said president of Garment Association – Nepal Uday Raj Pandey. “The garment industry has failed to deliver products on schedule due to labour unrest and power outage.”

Similarly, entrepreneurs involved in the tourism sector said that tourist arrivals have reduced in a visible form. “The booking ratio at various five-star hotels has reduced by 30 per cent to 40 per cent,” an entrepreneur said. “Similarly, around 12 per cent airlines have already curtailed the number of flights to Kathmandu due to low mobility of tourists. Airline operators have reduced the number of flights by some 30 per cent to 40 per cent due to the political instability.”

The private sector also lamented unavailability of fuel to run industries. “Industries face hassles in getting diesel at a time when the country is also reeling under power outage,” said Vaidya.

The private sector also demanded the government to compensate them for losses due to unnecessary bandhs organised by various parties. Addressing the concerns of the private sector, finance secretary Krishna Hari Baskota said that the government will try to incorporate all the concerns of the private sector in the coming budget.

Caretaker finance minister Barshaman Pun asked the private sector not to be discouraged because of the political instability.

“Economic growth and prosperity should not be affected due to political instability,” he said, adding the government is positive about addressing all the problems being faced by the private sector.

Source: THT

Unilever Crisis: Mgmt, workers agree to reopen factory

KATHMANDU, FEB 16 - 2012

After 12 days of closure, Unilever Nepal’s management and agitating workers have agreed to resume the Basamadi-based factory’s operation from Thursday.

Following Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai’s intervention on Tuesday, both sides showed some flexibility during Wednesday’s talks and agreed to resume the factory and continue the dialogue. Lawmaker Prahlad Lamichhane, local leaders of major political parties, Makawanpur Chambers of Commerce and Industry President Bhuwan Lal Shrestha and trade union leaders participated in the talks.

“Showing flexibility in their position, workers have agreed to reopen the factory from Thursday, while the management has accepted continue the dialogue until a concrete result is achieved,” said Arjun Kumar Chaudhary, head of the Hetauda Labour Office.

Trade unions affiliated to UCPN (Maoist) and Nepali Congress had closed down the factory demanding a 50 percent pay hike and other allowances, interest-free housing loan worth Rs 1 million per worker and house maintenance fee of Rs 100,000 per person per year, among others. The Unilever management had refused to address the workers’ demand, terming them unpractical and inappropriate.

“Both the management and workers have agreed in principle to continue the talks with the reopening of the factory,” stated Lawmaker Prahlad Lamichhane.

With a series of talks with agitating workers failing to yield results, Unilever Nepal had sought the government’s permission to enforce a ‘lock-out’ provision. The Unilever Nepal management had registered its application to lock out the factory at the Labour Ministry on Friday and at the Labour Department on Sunday.

Alarmed by the leading multinational company (MNC)’s closure amid Nepal Investment Year 2012-13, the Prime Minister on Wednesday had pledged immediate measures to bring Unilever Nepal’s factory back to normal operation. He had also directed Labour Secretary Som Lal Subedi to intervene in the matter to find a negotiated settlement. The company recorded annual turnover of Rs 3.8 billion in last fiscal year and paid taxes worth Rs 646 million to the government. The Basamadi-based factory of Unilever manufactures personal care products such as soaps, toothpastes and beauty creams.

Source: Kantipur

Maoists should help end Unilever shutdown

Maoists should help end Unilever shutdown

BAGLUNG, Feb 13, 2012

Former finance minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat has blamed unnecessary demands placed by Maoist-affiliated trade union for shutdown of industries across the country.

Referring to shutdown of Unilever Nepal´s production unit in Basamadi of Makawanpur district, Mahat asked the Maoist-affiliated trade union to end such activities.

He also urged the UCPN (Maoist) to do the needful for bringing the multi-national company´s production unit back into operation.

“UCPN (Maoist) should take the responsibility for Unilever shutdown. It should immediately take necessary initiative to bring the factory back into operation,” he added.

Unilever Nepal´s factory was shut down earlier this month after workers affiliated to UCPN (Maoist) launched a strike demanding among others hike in salary and allowances.

“Political parties have different philosophies and agenda. But they should join hands for country´s economic prosperity,” Mahat said, adding, “Country cannot make progress in the absence of investment friendly environment.”

 

Source: Republica