KATHMANDU, Feb 1: Increasing flow of remittance has provided some respite to Nepal but the issue of out-bound migrant workers has become a matter of serious contemplation.
The development partners of Nepal expressed this view in a consultation meeting on the 16th Development Plan and LDC Graduation Strategy organized by the National Planning Commission (NPC). They urged the government to address the issue through promotion of inclusive growth by introducing necessary measures in the 16th periodic plan.
Nepal is now in the process of finalizing its 16th periodic plan. The NPC has already collected inputs and recommendations from all province and local levels for the formulation of the 16th plan. The NPC is reported to make public the new periodic plan by mid-February, while it will go for implementation from mid-July 2024.
Speaking at the meeting, the UN Resident Coordinator Hanaa Singer Hamdy expressed her concern that over 700,000 workers migrated in 2023 due to a lack of job opportunities in the domestic market of Nepal. “Despite the increase in remittances, the country faces challenges such as trade deficits, insecure working conditions, low business productivity and widespread informality.”
According to the UN resident coordinator to Nepal, rapid urbanization is posing challenges in terms of housing, drinking water, waste management, and pollution in the major cities of Nepal. Simultaneously, rural areas face a shortage of workers, impacting the local economy and food security. Vulnerable groups, including the poor, women, persons with disabilities, and marginalized populations, bear the brunt of these challenges, added Hamdy.
The UN resident coordinator urged the NPC to emphasize equality and social justice in the 16th plan. This will set a clear roadmap for implementing the constitutional rights of women and marginalized groups, translating the constitutional vision into practical socio-economic development, said Hamdy. “I am confident that the 16th Plan will provide a conducive policy environment for addressing these issues, ensuring basic service delivery, and tackling development and humanitarian challenges.”
The NPC is enforcing the 16th periodic plan at a time when the country is heading towards LDC graduation in 2026. Hamdy opined that with many international support measures phased out or being impacted post-graduation, careful preparation is essential to become competitive while meeting stringent measures on environmental and labor standards.
Hamdy stressed on the need for promoting different skill sets along with the LDC graduation of the country. According to her, the upcoming plan together with the smooth transition strategy and SDG acceleration plans would need to catalyze and lay the foundation for the post LDC phase.