The Government of Nepal has intensified efforts to expand bilateral labor agreements with Eastern European countries that offer better income opportunities and stronger human rights protections for Nepali migrant workers.
The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security has formally sent proposals to 16 European countries, including Croatia and Malta, aiming to establish government-to-government labor agreements that ensure safe, dignified, and organized foreign employment for Nepali workers.
According to Pitambar Ghimire, Joint Secretary at the Ministry, groundwork is underway to facilitate employment opportunities for Nepalis in countries with better working conditions and respect for human rights.
“Where there is respect for human rights and a favorable working environment, Nepali workers are able to earn better incomes. We are prioritizing labor agreements with such countries,” Ghimire said. “We have sent formal proposals to 16 Eastern European countries. Apart from Romania, agreements with other countries have not yet materialized. This is now a priority agenda for us.”
He added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nepali embassies in the respective countries are actively engaging with host governments to advance negotiations.
Proposals, including draft agreements and official requests, have already been submitted, and the government expects progress toward results-oriented agreements in the near future.
At present, many Nepali workers are traveling to countries such as Croatia and Malta on individual labor permits.
However, the government is seeking to replace this informal and fragmented process with institutionalized and safer labor migration channels through formal bilateral agreements.
In recent years, European countries—particularly Romania, Poland, Cyprus, and Portugal—have emerged as attractive destinations for Nepali migrant workers.
While the number of Nepalis working in these countries is increasing, the absence of formal labor agreements has exposed many workers to risks such as fraud, exploitation, and job insecurity.
Nepal already signed a labor agreement with Romania a few years ago, which is being viewed as a model framework for similar agreements with other European countries.
