Nepal preparing to sign labour agreement with Seychelles

Nepal and Seychelles are making preparations for signing in a bilateral labour Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) soon to facilitate Nepalese labourers willing to take up jobs in Seychelles.

Ambassador of the Republic of Seychelles, Thomas Selvi Pillay paid a courtesy call on Minister for Labor, Employment and Social Security Krishna Kumar Shrestha on Sunday. During the meeting held at the Ministry, they discussed about the bilateral interests and mutual relations of Nepal and Seychelles. Minister Shrestha thanked the Republic of Seychelles for the proposal of the previous bilateral labor agreement to take Nepali workers for foreign employment. Stating that Nepal is positive to send Nepali workers to Seychelles for foreign employment, Minister Shrestha informed that preparations for the Bilateral Labor Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would be taken forward. According to the Nepali Embassy in Seychelles (Pretoria) in South Africa, the bilateral labor agreement should be promoted not only for prison security but also for police service and employment in the private sector.

 Issues such as how many workers will be sent for foreign employment annually and what kind of skill training is required? Should be discussed while making preparations for signing in the bilateral labor agreement (MOU), said Minister Shrestha. Besides, the discussion should also include minimum qualifications required, language ability of the labourer as well as availability of service facilities such as minimum wage, he added. He said that it would be appropriate to form a joint committee comprising high-ranking officials of both the countries to decide matters including selection of workers, employment and repatriation. Ambassador Pillay said that the Seychelles government is willing to take Nepali workers to other areas besides security guards. He said that Seychelles with an open and liberal economy could be an attractive destination for Nepali workers, adding that workers should not have to invest financially in Seychelles. Ambassador Pillay also invited Minister for Labor, Employment and Social Security Krishna Kumar Shrestha to visit Seychelles. It has been 34 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Seychelles.