Kathmandu – The government is preparing to involve manpower agencies and other relevant stakeholders in negotiating bilateral labor agreements with foreign countries.

The recently released National Labor Migration Policy states that “a model framework for bilateral labor agreements will be developed and implemented based on meaningful participation of labor service providers, NGOs, and other stakeholders.”

Previously, Nepal handled labor agreements with countries such as Malaysia, Qatar, Japan, and South Korea solely through the government. Under the new policy, however, private agencies and other stakeholders will have the opportunity to provide input during the drafting process.

Officials and migration experts have expressed differing views on the policy. The Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Social Security has emphasized that the approach reflects a holistic societal perspective, aiming to involve all relevant stakeholders.

Some experts, however, have raised concerns that this could create additional complications in the foreign employment sector. While stakeholder involvement is positive, there is a risk of conflicts of interest if private parties prioritize their own gains.