ILO, EU to support welfare of migrant workers of South Asia

Kathmandu: Seeking to promote the welfare of "vulnerable migrant workers" from India, Nepal and Pakistan to the Gulf countries, the ILO and EU today launched a joint 2.41 million euros project here.

The project called `Promoting Effective Governance of Labour Migration from South Asia` will enhance the development impact of labour migration and reduce unregulated migration, said a press release issued jointly by the European Union (EU) and International Labour Organisation (ILO). Aimed at promoting management of labour migration from India, Nepal and Pakistan to the countries of Gulf Cooperation Council, the project will contribute to ensure effective protection of the rights of "vulnerable migrant workers". "The project has a migrant-centred approach," said Jose Assaline, Director of the ILO Country Office in Nepal. "The project will provide support to some 20,000 migrant workers. This includes access to reliable information on overseas employment opportunities; reduced migration costs and abuses by improving recruitment services; increased protection in countries of origin and destination; as well as enhanced training and portability of skills for outgoing and returning migrant workers," Assaline said at the launch of the project. Out of the total 2,407,186 euro allocated for the project called 1,925,749 euro will be contributed by the EU and the rest will be borne by the ILO. The key project partners are the Ministry of Labour and Employment in Nepal; the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs and the India Centre for Migration in India; and the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis & Human Resource Development in Pakistan.