KATHMANDU — Non-Resident Nepalis Association (NRNA) former President RK Sharma has said that the issues of labour rights, social security and investment in the country are being enshrined in Nepal’s national policy.

He has described the Middle East not only as a destination for foreign employment but also as the basis for the important achievements of the NRNA campaign, struggle and policy changes.

Speaking at a press meet organized to inform about the preparations for the 9th NRNA Middle East Regional Conference to be held in Doha, Qatar on December 11 and 12, Sharma said the issues raised by the Nepalis in the Middle East have also influenced Nepal’s policy making.

According to him, the provision to enrol Nepali workers in foreign employment in the social security fund and the achievement of ensuring 10 percent IPO quota in Nepal’s stock market are linked to the continuous advocacy and struggle of Nepalis in the Middle East. He said that such achievements were possible because the voice of the workers was raised in an institutional way and the state was pressured to take policy decisions.

He also recalled the contribution of Nepalis from the Middle East in the rescue of Nepalis stranded abroad, collecting blood money and saving the lives of Nepalis who have been sentenced to death. He said that the unity and cooperation shown by the Nepalis in the Middle East from the rescue campaign of Dolma Sherpa to various humanitarian rescue efforts is an important achievement of the NRNA campaign.

Stating that the Nepalis from the Middle East have made a huge financial contribution in the construction of the NRNA central office building at Baluwatar, Kathmandu, Sharma recalled that the Middle East Regional Conference started from Qatar. He said that the Supreme Court’s verdict on granting voting rights to Nepalis living abroad has reached the implementation phase and the initiative to link the capital of Non-Resident Nepalis with Nepal’s development through an investment fund of Rs 10 billion is also an important achievement.

He stressed on the need of creating an environment conducive for investment in Nepal’s productive sectors including hydropower, agriculture and tourism by integrating the small amount of capital earned by working abroad.

Meanwhile, preparations for the ninth Middle East Regional Conference to be held with the slogan ‘Safe Labor Migration, Prosperous Future, NRNA Campaign’ have been intensified. A preliminary press conference was held in Doha, Qatar, on November 30 through live and virtual means to inform about the objectives, priorities and preparations of the conference.

The press conference was presided over by Middle East Coordinator and Main Organizing Committee Coordinator Ramesh Shrestha and facilitated by Middle East Member Secretary Basudev Sapkota through virtual medium while NCC Qatar Secretary Shankar Rai conducted the program live. NCC Qatar President gave the welcome speech and informed about the relevance, objectives, preparations and regional priorities of the conference.

The concept of ‘Sahyatra’ was especially emphasized in the press conference. The organizers made it clear that the main essence of the Sahyatra is to move ahead with a common objective by establishing mutual understanding, collaboration and partnership among the International Coordination Council (ICC), National Coordination Council (NCC), social organizations working in the Middle East and other stakeholders of NRNA.

The campaign is not limited to any organization or leadership, but is an effort to connect Nepali workers, entrepreneurs, social activists and various organizations in the Middle East in a common goal.

Discussions will be held on safe labour migration, integration with social security fund, guarantee of minimum wages, flow of remittance through legal channels, transfer of skills and technology and possibilities of collective investment of Nepalis in the Middle East.

Middle East Coordinator Shrestha expressed his commitment to develop the conference as a common forum to voice the voices of millions of Nepali workers working in the region. He said that the conference should not be limited to formal gatherings but should be an opportunity to take concrete initiatives for the secure future and collective well-being of Nepali workers. He said that the conference would be result-oriented by making proper use of available resources and gathering participation and cooperation from all sides.

On the occasion, NRNA International President Dr. Hemraj Sharma and other office-bearers of various levels expressed their best wishes for the success of the conference. Stating that the Middle East region is a historical and integral part of NRNA, they said that the issues raised by Nepali workers in this region should be prioritized at the national and international level. They also expressed their commitment to support and solidarity of the center for the implementation of the suggestions and conclusions received from the conference.