Kathmandu – The General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT) has expressed concern over the increasing trend of people going for foreign employment through personal contacts.
Speaking at a press conference organized on the occasion of International Migrants Day in Kathmandu on Monday, GEFONT raised concerns about the growing trend of seeking foreign employment through personal contacts rather than official workers’ agencies, which it described as alarming.
At the press conference, the President of GEFONT explained that in the past, Nepali workers primarily went to Gulf countries for employment, but now people are also seeking jobs in Europe and America. He added that GEFONT is working to create a support group for the protection of workers’ rights.
He said that just on Monday, GEFONT had started working by forming a GEFONT Support Group to protect the rights of Nepalis who have come to work in the United States. He highlighted that, due to a provision requiring foreign workers to contribute to social security, 13 lakh 1 thousand 73 workers have been registered along with their contributions. However, he pointed out that irregularities in these contributions have led to workers and their families being deprived of social security services.
President Shrestha further stated that GEFONT opposes the Ministry of Labour, Employment, and Social Security’s proposal to allow the private sector to send skilled workers to South Korea through the E-7 visa.
He also mentioned that GEFONT is focusing on sending workers to countries like Japan, Spain, Portugal, Romania, and Germany through manpower agencies and believes the government should work with GEFONT on this matter.
International Migrants Day is celebrated on December 18 to raise awareness and advocate for the safety and dignity of migrant workers worldwide.