Nepal set to sign MoU with IOM

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KATHMANDU, Aug 14 (Xinhua): Nepal is all set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Organisation for Migrants (IOM) in order to protect the rights of overseas Nepali workers and also to pave the way for the entry of Nepali workers in Israel, The Kathmandu Post reported today.
The ministry of labour and transport management (MoLTM) has already completed the necessary procedures and sent a proposal to the cabinet of ministers seeking its permission to seal the deal, a high ranking government official revealed.
Uddav Baskota, spokesperson at MoLTM, told the daily that once the proposal was approved, the ministry will undertake necessary steps to ink the MoU as soon as possible.
Signing the MoU with the international body, which looks after issues related to international migration and rights of the workers, was one of the preconditions set by Israel before issuing fresh permits to Nepali workers.
"Once signed, we will have completed all the conditions Israel put forth to us," said Baskota, expressing hope that Israel would resume accepting Nepali workers soon thereafter.
The government of Nepal has already decided on May 31, 2007 to open an embassy in Israel, another condition which Israel had asked Nepal to fulfil.
Israel stopped placing demands for workers and issuing new visas to Nepali workers from May 1, citing that its new policy makes it mandatory for all labour sending countries to establish a diplomatic mission and depute a labour attache in Israel.
Israel imports workers from some three dozen different countries such as Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and India. Israel has been a lucrative working destination mainly for female Nepali workers. It has been hiring Nepali women mainly as caregivers.
IOM works with its partners in the international community to assist in dealing with migration issues and uphold the human dignity and well-being of migrant workers.