OBJECTIVES
- To share the finding of the study on rehabilitation and reintegration of Nepali migrant workers in the post-covid-19 pandemic situation and discuss on its process and challenges.
- To consolidate the findings, and recommendations based on the challenges of reintegration of returnee migrant workers in Nepal.
- To interact on the reintegration of returnees by reviewing and analysing the existing policies and policy gaps on the reintegration of returnees in Nepal.
Presentation on Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Nepali Migrant Workers in Post-Covid-19 Pandemic Situation: Process and Challenges
Mr. Uddhav Raj Poudyal, a freelance researcher, shared the draft through presentation with participants on ‘Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Nepali Migrant Workers in Post-Covid-19 Pandemic Situation: Process and Challenges’. The objective of the research is to develop the advocacy strategy for the recognition of skills and skill development of prospective migrant workers and the reintegration of returnees by reviewing and analysing the existing policies and policy gaps on the reintegration of returnees in Nepal. The research is based on desk review - collecting of secondary data through literature reviews including policies, reports (both print and online) and stakeholders’ reports and publications as well. He further, elucidated the existing laws, policies, initiatives and gaps in the rehabilitation and reintegration of Nepali migrant workers. The research has identified the policy gaps – psychosocial, social and economic issues; lack of coordination and policy harmonization; lack of database and a few others. Additionally, he discussed the key decision makers and policy formulators; technical advisory and financial supporters; research, information, monitoring and documentation; and advocators and service providers as stakeholders in Nepal. More importantly, he shared major findings of the research – lack of adoption of successful and sustainable reintegration approach; not participatory; not holistic, flexible and support services and many other points as well. Finally, he shared the recommendation for short-term and long-term along with advocacy strategies.
Group Work
The Group work was facilitated by Mr. Nilambar Badal, a freelance researcher, divided the participants into three groups – Trade unionists; CSOs; and researchers. The facilitator provided three topics for discussion to groups – a) The status of rehabilitation and reintegration of migrant workers in Nepal; b) Stakeholders Analysis in addressing rehabilitation and reintegration; and c) Advocacy strategy for the recognition of Skills and Skills Development of Prospective Migrant Workers and Reintegration of Returnees in Nepal. The time of five minutes was allocated to discuss each topic and after the discussion, they had to write down on the chart paper and present their points/issues or recommendations to all.
Way Forward
The way forward session was facilitated by Mr. Nilambar Badal, a freelance researcher, in an interactive way of exploring and brainstorming the issues of reintegration and rehabilitation of Nepali migrant workers and personal contribution towards it where the facilitator had given the task to all the participants to make a commitment from the individual as well as from the institutional level for the improvement in the reintegration and rehabilitation of Nepali migrant workers. All the participants wrote down their commitment to work for the advancement of the situation of returnees in Nepal from the individual as well as institutional level by writing it down in the Meta card (used one for one commitment). Participants committed to exploring and researching more on the issues of reintegration and rehabilitation of returnee migrant workers in Nepal.