Nepal’s migrant workers: Data the new government can’t ignore

Undocumented workers, arguably among the most vulnerable, remain invisible in official statistics.

The new Balen Shah-led government recently unveiled its 100-point road map , which overlooked the ‘health and well-being’ of Nepali labour migrants. However, a press release from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security touched upon it. It includes initiatives on occupational health and safety, a minimum wage, as well as predeparture training. Still, there is a missed opportunity to make better use of existing data. Utilising data collected from aspiring migrant workers and initiating health screening for returnee migrants are vital to enable evidence-based policymaking and targeted educational interventions.