KATHMANDU, Sept 2: A Nepali delegation is soon leaving for Hong Kong and Sri Lanka to lobby for reopening the Hong Kong job market for Nepalis and to learn from Sri Lanka´s experience in sending works to overseas markets.
The delegation includes Purna Chandra Bhattarai, joint secretary at the Ministry of Labor and Transport Management, Surya Adhikari, under secretary at the MoLTM, Mukunda Adhikari, under secretary at the Foreign Employment Promotion Board, Tirtha Khanal, section officer at the Department of Foreign Employment and representatives of the United Nations Funds for Women Development (UNIFEM).
Hong Kong had stopped issuing visas to Nepali from 2005 due to illegal track records, including over staying and other criminal activities, of Nepali workers.
The MoLTM had, last week, written to the Foreign Ministry to acquire information about the possibility of sending Nepali workers in Hong Kong.
The delegation would hold talks with Hong Kong authorities and representatives of non-government organizations working for migrant women.
Hong Kong, which is often referred to as international financial center, was the most favorite destination for Nepalis, especially female workers, due to long standing relation with Nepali community there.
During the fiscal year 2008/09, number of Nepali workers leaving for Hong Kong dropped to 65 individuals from 199 recorded a year earlier.
UNIFEM has long been lobbying for reopening the Hong Kong for Nepali workers.
The delegation is also scheduled to visit Sri Lanka to learn from the proper management experience of Sri Lankan government in handling issues of migrant workers.
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