IOM Nepal presented ethical recruitment tools, resources, and guidance to align business practices with ethical recruitment standards. Photo by IOM Nepal.

Kathmandu, Nepal - IOM Nepal, as a part of the Migration, Business and Human Rights Programme in Asia (MBHR Asia), organized a two-day capacity building training on ethical recruitment standard in Kathmandu on April 3 and 4. The training targeted Private Recruitment Agencies (PRAs) in Nepal with an on overall objective to build capacity of Nepal recruitment agency for implementation of ethical recruitment standard.

The two days training covered various topics and practical tools to equip Nepal PRAs with insights and resources. Objectives of the training were centered around enhancing participants' understanding of international labour migration, relevant regulatory frameworks, ethical recruitment standard, gap identification, and corrective action measure. PRAs were also aware of the available ethical recruitment tools, resources, and guidance to align business practices with ethical recruitment standards, thus strengthening PRA management systems.

Private Recruitment Agencies (PRAs) discussed how to conduct fair recruitment practices effectively at the capacity building training. Photo by IOM Nepal.

Mr. Dipendra Paudel, Under Secretary at the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security (MoLESS), opened the training with insight into the landscape of foreign employment, labour migration including delivering a presentation on National Action Plan (NAP) on Business and Human Rights, Nepal 2080/81 – 84/85 B.S. [2024-2028] for contextual setting. He stressed, the comprehensive NAP plans aimed to promote business activities that respect and protect the human rights of migrant workers, outlining governmental and business responsibilities across thematic areas, including labour migration. He explained the symbiotic relationship between PRAs and the government, highlighting PRAs' responsibility in ensuring the rights of Nepali migrant workers. Against the backdrop of over 800,000 Nepalese seeking overseas employment opportunities in 2023, Mr. Paudel's remarks resonated strongly, emphasizing the pressing need for ethical recruitment practices to safeguard the interests of all stakeholders involved.

Participants at the two-day capacity building training on ethical recruitment standard in Kathmandu in April 2024. Photo by IOM Nepal. 

The training aimed to empower PRAs with knowledge and tools to adhere to international standards of fair and ethical recruitment. Upon completion, participants could understand and seek solutions to address migrant workers' vulnerabilities, have better awareness on effectively implementing fair recruitment practices, identify and rectify gaps in recruitment, access resources to align with ethical standards, and understand NAP+BHR 2024-2028.

Moving forward, PRAs committed to utilizing the tools and resources and establishing improved management systems aligned with the ethical recruitment Standard. The ongoing effort of promotion of ethical recruitment standard signifies a step towards ensuring fair and ethical recruitment practices, ultimately contributing to the protection of migrant workers’ rights in the global supply chain. The MBHR Asia Programme remains committed to advancing migrant workers' rights and looks forward to further collaborations to ensure fair and ethical recruitment practices in the region.

For more information, please contact Purnima Limbu Palunga at plpalunga@iom.int.  

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The Migration, Business and Human Rights (MBHR) Programme in Asia is a five-year regional programme and is funded by the European Union and Sweden. The programme will run from 2024-2028 across Cambodia, Malaysia, Nepal, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam.