Welcome Home: Enabling Economic Reintegration of Returnee Migrant Workers in Nepal

The COVID-19 epidemic has caused catastrophic damage to economies and societies, and migrant laborers have been identified as one of the most vulnerable groups negatively affected by the pandemic. The COVID-19 Crisis Management Committee (CCMC) recorded the return of a total of 572,571 Nepalese to Nepal from abroad. The socio-economic reintegration of returnee migrant workers into the domestic labour market has remained a major challenge, especially when they possess inadequate information on available employment opportunities and market conditions. In addition, migrant workers are also vulnerable to skills mismatch, where non-recognition of migrant workers' skills and knowledge by employers remains a key problem. Long-term unemployment or reduced working hours can soon render their skills obsolete, making it increasingly difficult for them to reintegrate into the labour market. As a result, there is a widespread sense of urgency in investing in these people's capacities and supporting their resilience in the face of present and future labour market upheavals. The project aims to enhance the employability of men and women who have returned to Nepal due to the loss of opportunities mainly caused by the COVID pandemic. In support of their economic reintegration, it aims to: strengthen public and private sector dialogue to address labour market challenges facing returnee migrant workers; improve the capacities of relevant stakeholders at municipality level for registration of returnee migrant workers and their skills profiling; improve the labour market transition of returnee migrant workers through improving their access to basic employment services, especially vocational counselling, career advice and guidance, and job matching; and increase their employability through up-skilling, re-skilling, and comprehensive post-training support for those interested in self-employment. The project will engage sector-based business associations and industries such as hotel associations and constructors’ associations for skills training through work-based learning and apprenticeship methods, job placement, post-completion of training, and career counselling. Potential employers will be linked to the stimulus package announced by the government, such as wage subsidies for apprentices. Associations of banks will be encouraged and supported to introduce loan products and bring returnees under their corporate social responsibility schemes. Training graduates interested in self-employment will also be linked to the government’s stimulus package.

Project symbol

NPL/22/01/GBR

Admin unit

CO-Kathmandu

Start date

08/03/2022

End date

28/12/2022

Total allocation

662185

Total expenditure

Status

Closed

417110

Development Partners

United Kingdom, British Council

Country/Countries

Nepal

Outcomes

Outcome 5: Skills and lifelong learning to facilitate access to and transitions in the labour market