Preparing to expand bilateral labor agreements with Eastern European countries

Cinepatra/Kathmandu

The Government of Nepal is preparing to expand bilateral labor agreements with Eastern European countries that offer better income opportunities and stronger human rights protections for Nepali workers.

The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security has formally sent proposals for labor agreements to 16 European countries, including Croatia and Malta. According to Joint Secretary Pitambar Ghimire of the Ministry, groundwork is underway to finalize labor agreements with countries that provide favorable working environments, so Nepali workers can be sent there under safer and more structured arrangements. He confirmed that proposals have been dispatched to 16 countries.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nepal’s respective embassies are also engaged in discussions and diplomatic initiatives with these nations. The proposals include a draft framework of the agreement and a formal request, and officials have expressed optimism that outcome-oriented agreements will be reached soon.

Currently, many Nepali workers have already gone to countries such as Croatia and Malta through individual labor permits. The government now aims to institutionalize and formalize these employment channels through bilateral agreements to ensure safe, dignified, and secure foreign employment opportunities.

In recent years, several European countries—particularly Romania, Croatia, Poland, Malta, Cyprus, and Portugal—have emerged as attractive destinations for Nepali migrant workers.

Although the number of Nepali workers in these countries has been increasing, the absence of formal labor agreements has exposed them to risks such as fraud, exploitation, and insecurity. Nepal has already signed a labor agreement with Romania a few years ago, which is now being regarded as a model for similar agreements with other European nations.