2nd phase of ILO, USDOL’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs Bridge project launched in Nepal to continue accelerating action against Forced Labour

Kathmandu: The 2nd phase of ILO, USDOL’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs Bridge project launched to continue accelerating action against Forced Labour in Nepal.

“It’s important that we have a Phase II and that we continue working with stakeholders to reach these milestones” (this was related to the Integrated Bonded Labour Act/Bill, that wasn’t adopted in Phase I), says Doherty Oluremi, Project Director, ILO, Bridge Global Project.

“I am hopeful that ILO Nepal through the Bridge Project will continue its support for the Ministry to promote the ratification of
ILO Protocol P29 & the enactment of the Integrated Forced Labour Act”, said Prakash Adhikari, Under Secretary, @MoLESS_Nepal.

Discussing key achievements of ILO, USDOL’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs Bridge project in Nepal, a new life for bonded labourers thanks to skill training, women empowered & stereotypes challenged.

Ram Charmakar, National Project Coordinator, ILO Nepal Bridge Project says 1,115 former bonded labourers were supported by the ILO
Bridge Project. “There is still a lot of work to be done to ensure all forms of forced labour are eliminated in Nepal and all former bonded labourers have access to the rights and services they need to live a dignified, prosperous, and free life”, says André Bongestabs,
ILO Nepal.

The integration of a forced labour module in a National Labour Force Survey was really seen as an excellent practice. Nepal is one of the only countries in the world that have included a forced labour module in a recurrent study like a National Labour Force Survey.