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Posted
on 23-May-02 11:17 AM
What you you all think of this??
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Employing youth can help end Maoist problem: Experts
Post Report
KATHMANDU, May 22 : Terming unemployment as the root cause of domestic violence, experts today said that providing employment to a million youths, both within the country and abroad, could be a means to end the Maoist problem.
They were speaking at a one-day interactive workshop on ‘Foreign Employment: Challenges and Opportunities,’ organised by Democratic National Youth Federation (DNYF) here today.
They said that most unemployed youths have taken up arms due to lack of employment opportunities. "The only solution to the current turmoil is creation of employment opportunities," they echoed.
Member of Parliament Gokarna Raj Bista, speaking on the occasion said, "Instead of spending billions of rupees on procuring arms and ammunition, the money can be spent on creating job opportunities for around one million youths which would be more fruitful."
"The government should not undermine the fact that jobless youths are terrorised by the Maoists and are forced to take up arms. The government must seriously look into this aspect," said Bista.
Bista, including other participants, said that at a time when job cut has become a regular feature of the fledging economy, there is an urgent need to address the rising problem of unemployment.
"The government should especially focus on sending youths abroad by ensuring a secure and attractive job environment. Foreign employment should be promoted," the participants said.
They stressed on the need for the government to amend or change the existing provisions and rules to further promote foreign employment. "The anomalies and procedural delays in granting foreign employment permission should be reviewed," they added.
Member Secretary of Employment Promotion Council Binod Kumar Bhattarai said that there are 1.5 million unemployed youth and 15 million semi-employed youth. He added that the number of people rendered jobless in the past one year has crossed over 150 thousand.
He said that in the present context of intense pressure from entrepreneurs on the government to adopt flexible labour policies containing terms for easy hiring and firing, foreign employment is a good alternative.
"The government must work hand-in-hand with the private sector parties that have so far aided in the promotion of foreign employment," said Bhattarai. He added that labourers should be provided with training before sending abroad for jobs.
Stating that the Malaysian Government is ready to absorb 150 thousand Nepalis in its labour market, Bhattarai said that the government might not be able to tap the opportunity given its weak internal structure and procedural delays.
"If government to government agreements can take place, Nepalis would be able to work in Israel, Cyprus and a number of other countries as well," he said.
Likewise, participants also lamented over the delay in the establishment of a Consular Office in Kathmandu to provide visas to aspirant workers. The Labour Minister some time back during his visit to Malaysia had promised to establish such an office in Kathmandu.
However, Bhattarai added that the government is working to provide workforce aspiring to go abroad with loans without collateral very soon.
Advocate Yuv Raj Sangraula said that about one million Nepalis are working abroad without any kind of security, primarily due to a lack of laws and regulations. "There is a need to formulate laws for their protection," he said.
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