(Candidates for the 21st Falgun election are reaching out to the public with their manifestos. They are presenting their agenda. At this time, Kantipur is launching a special series, Kantipur Discussion: Citizens' Declaration, to present the people's agenda to parties and candidates. You too can write a manifesto for this series, focusing on a specific area. We will give space to manifestos that are based on facts, figures, and logic.)

I recently met Pawan Dev Majhi, a Musahar community member, in Mahottari. He had received an MBBS scholarship to study at the BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences. Pawan is the son of a carpenter working in Qatar. His father's hard work in Qatar played a big role in Pawan getting the MBBS scholarship. Perhaps because of my background in foreign employment, I saw Pawan's story through the 'lens' of foreign employment. 

Pawan's father, Narayan Majhi, wanted his son to focus solely on his studies. Due to this, he has been visiting Qatar repeatedly for foreign employment for the past seventeen years. Qatari riyals (remittances) did not hinder Pawan's studies due to financial constraints. He found relief from the mental burden that poverty can create. He immersed himself in his studies. And, as a result, he is able to study medicine. Pawan is a strong example of how low-income families who have gone abroad for employment are helping to improve the quality of their children's education.

Sendhil Mullainathan's research concludes that deprivation not only makes basic amenities inaccessible, it also reduces mental capacity. How to avoid eating every meal? How to repair a leaking roof? How to pay school fees? In a situation of financial deprivation, even a capable person cannot reach their destination due to constant struggle with such problems. Remittances are providing great relief in such a situation. 

Parties are competing in the parliamentary elections on 21 Falgun. They have their own manifestos to seek votes among the voters. The parties' approach to foreign employment should also be based on reality. The election manifesto should not only consider foreign employment as a problem to be solved, but also as an opportunity to be exploited and a powerful tool for poverty reduction.

Various studies, including those by the World Bank, have stated that remittances have contributed more than 30 percent to reducing poverty in Nepal from 2011 to 2023. Although the proportion of households receiving remittances in each income group is increasing, the poorest group is likely to increase economic inequality as remittances are relatively low. The poorest are more likely to go to India than to third countries for foreign employment.

Just as we see the Prime Minister's Employment Program as an important mechanism of social protection that guarantees 100 days of employment to households where even one member of the family is unemployed, similarly, decent employment opportunities available abroad can also be considered as part of social protection. Creating decent and quality employment opportunities within and outside the country should be the top priority of the new government. The geographically, socially and economically backward youth should also be included in the cycle of foreign employment.

A policy of providing inclusive foreign employment should be adopted. There is an example of providing opportunities to communities that were deprived of foreign employment due to lack of information, cost and access. Migration Lab, in collaboration with International Manpower Recruitment, conducted a fair recruitment campaign in Jajarkot after the earthquake and in the Musahar community of Mahottari. Under this program, workers going for foreign employment not only did not have to bear any expenses, but they were also assured of a suitable employer, salary, quality accommodation, and a safe workplace.

It not only provided them with decent employment opportunities, but also created a source of information and a network. As a result, interested people from those communities started inquiring about decent employment opportunities themselves. Under this program, they also started contacting workers who had previously gone for foreign employment. Due to this, the possibility of falling into the trap of middlemen was reduced.

‘Compulsory foreign employment’ will definitely be given priority in public debates and party election manifestos. But compulsion is not only about going for foreign employment due to lack of employment within the country, but also the compulsion to choose less profitable and unsafe opportunities abroad. One reason why a worker chooses India over Malaysia or the Gulf countries may be that they cannot afford the high fees. A worker is also forced to pay high costs and choose small supply companies that are not well-known in the destination country. Because the middleman in contact with him cannot provide any other good opportunity.

In the context of foreign employment, we must also worry about the lack of good employment options. Often, only limited employment is available to workers shown by brokers. In public debate, it is said that ‘remittances have taken over the country’s economy’. However, we have not been able to consider that the amount of remittances could have been even greater if we had adopted a transparent and fair recruitment process and received a fair wage. It also ignores the reality that a large part of the remittances are being spent on loans taken to pay off high costs.

The election manifesto should accept the reality that making it dignified, quality and safe is more effective than adopting restrictive policies to solve the problems of foreign employment. When good employment options are available, workers are also more careful and restrained than going abroad to be aware. For example, according to a quick survey by Migration Lab and International Manpower Recruitment, 27 out of 50 workers interviewed for a job in Malaysia under an ethical recruitment scheme had previously failed to apply for an ethical recruitment opportunity.

This means that these workers are willing to wait for the few opportunities that come under the ethical recruitment process, ignoring the overseas employment opportunities that are easily available by paying a fee. Thus, they do not rush to pay 300,000 to 500,000 rupees because they believe that there is a good alternative. Similarly, the number of workers preparing for the Korean language is another proof of this. If there is a possibility of a good opportunity, workers are ready to wait, invest in training and take the exam.

Election manifestos should stay away from cheap popular policies. If a manifesto says that we will implement the ‘free visa free ticket’ policy as it is, it is a sign that they do not understand the limitations of a unilateral policy to solve the problems of the countries that need and send workers. The employers and the governments of the destination countries also have a role in implementing this policy, which is based on the assumption that the employer bears all the costs of the worker. Similarly, the idea that by creating employment opportunities in Nepal, one does not have to go to work in the ‘Gulf sun’ is also not very practical.

One of the most serious health risks faced by workers is extreme heat, which can cause kidney failure. Therefore, initiatives should be taken to implement concrete strategies shown by scientific research. Such as resting in the shade, stopping work if the temperature exceeds the limits determined by science, nutritious food, cold water and proper personal protective equipment, the possibility of workers being at risk is reduced if arrangements are made. The ban on domestic workers is also not just a failed experiment, which forces them to travel through third countries, putting them at even greater risk. It is very important to be practical, not populist, in the declaration. Because only practical policies are implementable.

Profitable foreign employment also means opportunities for personal development and promotion of workers. Just like working in a prestigious seven-star hotel like Atlantis in Dubai is not the same as working in a regular restaurant in Dubai. If a worker who has worked in a prestigious hotel like Atlantis is able to compete in any corner of the world, he can make a significant contribution to the tourism sector even after returning to Nepal. Therefore, the practical question for us is how to attract reputable employers to Nepal.

Such employers not only provide good income and personal development opportunities, but also the safety of workers is a high priority due to their employee-oriented company policies and reputational risks. Recently, Malaysia hired thousands of workers at zero cost, which is also a damage to its reputation. When reputation is damaged in this way at the international level, the business of the employer is in crisis. Due to media and international pressure and various countries banning the import of Malaysian products, export-oriented manufacturing companies in Malaysia have started hiring tens of thousands of workers for free.

Our embassies should be strengthened. Powerful labor diplomatic tools such as labor agreements should be used. Election manifestos definitely talk about strengthening embassies and signing agreements, the need for strengthening embassies is clear. But the manifestos should provide concrete measures on how to do this. Appointments of ambassadors and staff should be based on merit. Not on political or economic transactions. Embassies should have adequate staff and financial resources. Embassy presence should be expanded in countries and cities with large migrant populations. Staff should be made accountable for providing quick assistance to migrant workers in distress. If you ask any migrant from Nepal, Bangladesh or Kenya, they will point to the Philippine embassy as an example of providing quick assistance. Similarly, the Nepali embassy should be able to give the impression of being a protector to workers abroad.

This same principle should be established in labor agreements. We have agreements with 14 countries. Just last week, we signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia. But signing the agreement is not enough, the real work begins after that.

Even with an agreement, workers still have to pay high fees, work in scorching heat without adequate protection. They have to endure the problem of non-payment of wages. What is the use of such labor agreements if deaths are not prevented, compensation is not provided? The next government should make implementation the centerpiece. We are well aware of the problems faced by migrants today. There is no shortage of documentation of the problems through direct experiences of workers, research conducted by various national and international organizations, news published by various media outlets, reports of task forces formed by each minister, etc.

But there is still a big gap in terms of what to do in practical terms to solve these problems. These issues should be included as promises for implementation in the election manifesto. For that, leadership with willpower is needed. No matter how strong the provisions are, they will be meaningless unless implementation is prioritized and accountability is sought from both sides. 

The Korea-Nepal EPS Agreement has changed the lives of tens of thousands of workers. Donor organizations like KOICA are supporting training and business development for returned migrant entrepreneurs. In this way, the employer and the government of the destination country should also be held responsible in the full cycle of foreign employment (from home to home). So that foreign employment can be established as a shared responsibility. पाइलट प्रोजेक्टकै रूपमा भए पनि कोरियाको उदाहरणले देखाएको छ कि विदेशमा सिकेका प्राविधिक (हार्ड) सीपहरू व्यावहारिक रूपमा नेपालमा सदुपयोग गर्न नमिल्ने कामदारलाई पनि गन्तव्य देशमै वा स्वदेश फर्किएपछि नेपालका लागि सान्दर्भिक सीपहरूमा तालिम दिन सकिन्छ । प्राविधिक सीपमा असन्तुलन भए तापनि नेतृत्व क्षमता, कार्य नैतिकता (वर्क एथिक्स) र व्यवस्थापनजस्ता जीवनोपयोगी सीपहरू भने हस्तान्तरण योग्य हुन्छन् र जीवनभर उपयोगी रहन्छन् ।

विश्वका धेरै भाग जनसंख्याको हिसाबले बुढ्यौली समाजतर्फ तीव्र रूपमा जाँदै छ । यसको अर्थ युवा जनशक्तिको अभावलाई समाधान गर्न वैदेशिक रोजगारीप्रति उनीहरू अझ खुला हुनेछन् । विश्व बैंकको हालैको प्रतिवेदनअनुसार नेपालमा आगामी ३० वर्षमा कार्यशील उमेर समूहमा प्रवेश गर्ने युवालाई समेट्न ६५ लाख रोजगारी सिर्जना गर्नुपर्नेछ । यो जनसांख्यिकीय अवसरको अधिकतम उपयोग गर्न हामीसँग के योजना छ ? के नेपाल एक्लैले यो तहको मर्यादित रोजगारी सिर्जना गर्न सक्छ ? हामीलाई यस्तो मर्यादित रोजगारीका अवसरहरू सिर्जना गर्न आन्तरिक र बाह्य दुवै श्रम बजारसम्बन्धी नीतिगत सुधारलाई सँगसँगै लैजान सक्नुपर्छ । यो आउन लागेको निर्वाचनको मुख्य सवाल रोजगारी र जीवनयापन गर्न सकिने उचित ज्यालाको विषय पनि हो । नेपालमा नियमित रूपमा ३० हजार रुपैयाँ कमाउने रोजगारी पाउन धौ–धौ छ । तर, उता जापान जस्ता लाभदायक श्रम बजारमा नियमनभित्र रहेर सीपयुक्त श्रमिक पठाउने अवसरलाई सदुपयोग गर्न नसक्नु अर्को असफलता पनि सामुन्ने उभिएर बसेको छ । 

प्रवासमा लाखौंको संख्यामा रहेका नेपाली समाज र प्रवासबाट सीप र पुँजी लिई फर्केको जनशक्ति हाम्रो ठूलो मानव पुँजी हो । यसलाई निर्वाचन घोषणापत्रभित्र उच्च प्राथमिकता दिइनुपर्छ । आजको विश्व संसारको कुनै पनि कुनाबाट राष्ट्रका लागि योगदान दिन सकिन्छ । मैले अमेरिकामा अध्ययन र कामको सिलसिलामा एक दशकभन्दा बढी बिताएँ । कहिलेकाहीं म आफैंलाई सोध्ने गरेको छु कि के नेपाल फर्किनु सही निर्णय थियो ? कि, पुनः विदेश जानु ठीक हो ? यो केवल आर्थिक वा भविष्य बनाउनका लागि मात्र होइन, नेपालका लागि योगदानको दृष्टिले पनि हो ।

म प्रवासमा रहँदा बढी उत्पादनशील थिएँ कि फर्किएपछि ? प्रवासमा रहँदा नेटवर्क, स्रोत र सिकाइमा पहुँच हुन्छ । जुन नेपालमै नहुन सक्छ । यो प्रश्न म मात्र होइन, धेरैले सोधिरहेका छन् । त्यसैगरी, विदेशमा रहेका धेरै नेपालीहरूको स्वदेश फर्किने योजना छ, र उनीहरू उचित समय वा अवसरको प्रतीक्षामा छन् । प्रवासमा रहने र स्वदेश फिर्ने विषयलाई स्थिरताका रूपमा नभई गतिशीलताका रूपमा हेरिनुपर्छ । मुख्य प्रश्न भनेको नेपालका लागि सबैभन्दा राम्रो योगदान कसरी सम्भव हुन्छ भन्ने हो, कहाँबाट भन्ने होइन ।

नेपालले आफ्ना प्रवासी नेपालीसँग कागजी होइन, अर्थपूर्ण सम्बन्ध कायम राख्नुपर्छ । जनस्तर र सरकारबीचको सम्बन्धलाई सुदृढ गर्न सक्रिय पहल गर्नुपर्छ । उनीहरूको साथमा रहेको सीप, ज्ञान र विशेषज्ञता मात्रै नभई वित्तीय लगानी पनि आदान–प्रदान गर्न प्रोत्साहित गर्नुपर्छ । जसमा फर्केका नेपालीले पनि अपनत्व रहेको अनुभव गर्न सकुन् । यी कामहरू त्यत्तिकै हुँदैनन् । यसका लागि विश्वासयोग्य संस्थागत संरचना निर्माण हुनुपर्छ । प्रवासीमैत्री लगानीसम्बन्धी नीतिहरू ल्याउनुपर्छ । अनुभवहरू साटासाट गर्ने संयन्त्रहरू केन्द्रदेखि स्थानीय तहसम्म हुनुपर्छ । ‘ब्रेन ड्रेन’ र युवा पलायनमा केन्द्रित हुनुभन्दा अब हामीले ‘ब्रेन गेन’ मा ध्यान केन्द्रित गर्नुपर्छ ।

यी सवाललाई अझै बलियो बनाउने ठाउँ मतदान थियो । तर, यस पटक पनि प्रवासी नेपालीहरू मतदान गर्ने अवसरबाट विमुख हुनुपर्‍यो । तर पनि यी विषयलाई जोडतोडका रूपमा स्थापित गर्न उनीहरूले सार्वजनिक बहसमा योगदान दिएर, घरका सदस्यसँग कुरा गरेर र बिदामा आएर मतदान गरेर सक्दो प्रभाव पार्न सक्नेछन् । यस वर्ष सुरु भएको डायस्पोरा भोटिङसम्बन्धी पहललाई निरन्तरता दिनु आउँदो सरकारको एजेन्डा हुनुपर्छ । चुनावपश्चात् चुनाव सकियो भनेर यस मुद्दालाई थन्क्याइनु हुँदैन । नेपालको इतिहासमा डायस्पोरालाई मतदान अधिकार नदिइएको यो अन्तिम निर्वाचन हुनुपर्छ ।