ILO and Nepal strengthen ties to advance social justice
The visit of the President of Nepal to ILO and the election of Nepal to ILO’s Governing Body bring the ILO-Nepal relations into a new height.
27 June 2024
Kathmandu, Nepal (ILO News) - The Right Honourable Mr Ramchandra Paudel, President of Nepal joined the Inaugural Forum of the Global Coalition for Social Justice, held during the 112th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) on 13 June 2024, in Geneva, Switzerland.
Delivering a keynote address at the Inaugural Forum, the President emphasized that the collective effort to achieve sustainable peace through social justice is as relevant today as it was a hundred years ago. He reaffirmed the commitment of the Government of Nepal to embrace social justice for all in all areas as envisioned by the Constitution of Nepal and ILO. He also expressed commitment to implementing the 'Decent Work Agenda' and the Decent Work Programme (2023–2027) in Nepal.
During the visit of the President of Nepal, a bilateral meeting took place between the Rt. Hon’ble Mr Ramchandra Paudel and the ILO Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo, where the cooperation between ILO and Nepal to advance decent work and promote social justice was further emphasized.
Election of the Government of Nepal as Deputy Member to the ILO’s Governing Body was another significant event that took place during the 112th Session of the International Labour Conference. The Governing Body is the executive arm of the International Labour Organization, which plays a crucial role in determining the organization’s policies and plans, setting the agenda for the International Labour Conference, and adopting the proposed programmes and budget for submission to the Conference, among others.
This is the second time that Nepal will have a seat in the Governing Body since joining the ILO in 1966. As a deputy member of the Governing Body for a three-year term until June 2027, Nepal will have the opportunity to be more actively involved in the governance of ILO, and contribute to advancing labour standards, promoting decent work, and enhancing tripartite collaboration.
The 112th Session of the International Labour Conference was also attended by a high-level tripartite delegation of Nepal, led by the Hon’ble Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Security (MoLESS), Mr Dol Prasad Aryal. Besides the Minister, the Nepali delegation was composed by the Secretary of MoLESS, Mr Ghanshyam Upadhyaya, President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Mr Chandra Prasad Dhakal as employers’ delegate, and by President of Joint Trade Union Coordination Centre (JTUCC) and Nepal Trade Union Congress (NTUC), Mr Yogendra Kumar Kunwar, as the workers' delegate.
In his address to the Plenary session of the Conference on 11 June 2024, the Minister Aryal expressed Nepal’s commitment towards social justice and the improvements and achievements towards the promotion of decent work in Nepal. Further, he highlighted that the Government of Nepal has adopted a roadmap for ratification of nine ILO conventions within the next three years.
In his address at the Plenary Session, President of FNCCI, Mr Dhakal called on for investments in Nepal, which will help fulfilling the agenda of social justice by creating decent employment opportunities. He assured everyone that the private sector of Nepal will continue to be a trusted partner of the ILO.
Addressing to the ILC as the workers' delegate, the President of JTUCC and NTUC Mr. Kunwar announced their dedication to working together to implement the Decent Work Country Programme, and called everyone to stand united towards renewing the social contract by upholding the rights and dignity of workers and creating a just society.
Taking the opportunity of being in Geneva for the ILC, the Nepali delegation also conducted series of meetings with their counterparts and with the relevant ILO departments and units. The ILO Country Office for Nepal assisted the Delegation in their visit.
Commenting on the above developments, the Director of the ILO Country Office for Nepal, Mr Numan Özcan stated that the visit of the President of Nepal to ILO and the election of Nepal as Deputy Member to the ILO’s Governing Body are historic events which take the ILO-Nepal relations to higher levels. He added that a series of recent developments, such as signature of Decent Work Country Programme by the government, workers’, and employers’ organizations in December 2023, Nepal’s participation in Global Accelerator for Jobs and Social Protection as a Pathfinder Country in February 2024, Nepal’s joining to the Global Coalition for Social Justice in May 2024, as well as the country’s commitment to ratify new ILO Conventions are all examples of heightened cooperation between Nepal and ILO. He stated that with this positive momentum, it is now time to convert these commitments into action to make decent work a reality for all in Nepal.