active · child-protection· Health

Increased capacity of constituents to eliminate child labour and forced labour and to extend labour protection to groups of workers who are at risks of exclusion from protection

NPL828 - Increased capacity of constituents to eliminate child labour and forced labour and to extend labour protection to groups of workers who are at risks of exclusion from protection Nepal’s Decent Work Country Programme for 2023–2027, endorsed by the tripartite constituents, prioritizes the promotion and application of international labour standards. It focuses on fundamental principles and rights at work, including the elimination of child and forced labour, ensuring non-discrimination and equal pay, promoting occupational safety and health, and supporting collective bargaining and social dialogue. According to Labour Force Survey (2018), out of 7.86 million employed workers in Nepal, over 4.4 million are engaged in the informal sector. These workers often lack access to social security, labour rights, and minimum wage guarantees and frequently excluded from labour protections. To address the above challenges, the Government of Nepal has undertaken several key initiatives: •Implementing the National Plan of Action for the Elimination of Child Labour, through the promotion of child labour-free municipalities. •Supporting former forced labourers in improving their livelihoods. •Advancing a National Action Plan to formalize the informal labour market, in line with ILO Recommendation No. 204. •Developing the National Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Programme. •Strengthening the protection of Nepali migrant workers through improved bilateral agreements and enhanced services in destination countries. •Enhancing wage systems, including the review and implementation of minimum wage policies The ILO is supporting the Government of Nepal and its constituents’ efforts through technical assistance in eliminating child and forced labour adopting integrated approach, formulating OSH policies, and addressing regulatory and compliance gaps. The ILO also supports the extension of labour protections to all workers, especially migrant workers, domestic workers, a