Restrictive Labour Migration Policy on Nepalese Women and Consequences

Uddhab Pd Pyakurel

doi:10.13189/sa.2018.060803

Abstract

This study seeks to understand the governance system of women labour migration as practiced by the Nepali state through various institutions on the basis of rules, regulations and laws, and explores the interface between the regulations introduced against women migration abroad, existing popular practices, and consequences experienced by women migrants and their families. After a review of the Nepal government's rules and regulations introduced in the recent past, the paper concludes that Nepal still follow restrictive migration policy for women even if it is facilitating male out-migration in the job market abroad by introducing various schemes, rules/regulations and institutions. The often cited positive aspects of migration helped increase the aspiration of women to go abroad even women migration has become more costly, complicated and vulnerable due to the continued restrictive policy by the government of Nepal.

Highlights

In 2011, women comprised 12.5 percent of Nepalese people migrating for work outside Nepal
This paper deals with the current labour migration policy on women in Nepal
Since there has been a significant increase of labour migration of Nepali women to the Gulf countries over recent years, the focus of this paper is to analyse the consequences of restrictive or “protective” (Parrenas 2008) policy of Nepali state on those women who aspire to work as labourers abroad

Summary

Introduction

In 2011, women comprised 12.5 percent of Nepalese people migrating for work outside Nepal. Women are increasingly working to increase their access to income on equal terms, and demand equitable migration laws. They pursue employment opportunities in the global labour market and need state protection when seeking foreign employment in the form of provisions for better safety and access to safe remittance procedures. Since there has been a significant increase of labour migration of Nepali women to the Gulf countries over recent years, the focus of this paper is to analyse the consequences of restrictive or “protective” (Parrenas 2008) policy of Nepali state on those women who aspire to work as labourers abroad. In the Seventh Five Year plan (1985-1990), the government initiated pro-labour migration policies along with liberalized access to passport for those who sought employment abroad. Women are required to obtain consent of a ‘guardian’ (parent, husband, or other relatives) to go for foreign employment

16 November 2000 21 January 2003 27 March 2003 8 May 2003

September 2008

Findings

Conclusions