Facilitating Journeys: The role of intermediaries in labour migration process from Nepal

What happens after the decision to migrate for work has been made? What steps do prospective migrants take, where do they obtain information and what services do they seek? This infographic is based on qualitative research amongst migrant workers that examines the wide range of intermediaries that workers encounter in their migration journey.

 

As part of its Integrated Programme on Fair recruitment (FAIR), a global programme supported by the Swiss Development Cooperation, the ILO in Nepal commissioned a study amongst prospective and returning migrant workers to document their experience and in particular their interaction with various intermediaries that are involved in the migration process. Qualitative data was collected through in-depth interviews with 32 men and 9 women migrant workers, originating from 5 provinces, that were either abroad or had recently returned to Nepal.

This infographic illustrates the collection of narratives from migrant workers and builds a picture of their experiences after deciding to migrate. Who do workers interact with as they prepare their journeys? Where do they gather information? How do they prepare for interviews and who supports the processing of job applications and contracts? How are visas obtained, and where do workers receive orientation and training? What costs do these various services amount to? Furthermore, what network of intermediation and support do workers connect with one they have reached their destination? And, finally, who do workers turn to settle outstanding issues upon return to Nepal?

Analysis Report of Recruitment Reviews from Nepali migrant workers

This report explores recruitment practices of recruitment agencies based on the reviews from 1,593 reviewers provided to Recruitment Advisor.

The study found that:

- Sub-agents and middlemen continue to play an important role in facilitating the migration of Nepalis in foreign employment.

- Migrant workers are paying high recruitment and other related fees.

- Majority of migrant workers took pre-departure training.

- Migrant workers continue to be deceived about their job, salary, and benefits. 

- Passports of the workers were withheld by the employer. 

- Migrant workers were deprived of freedom of association and right to return. 

- Most migrant workers less informed about recruitment agency and employer.

The report also proposes ways forward regarding the identified problems.

Measuring sustainable development goal indicator 10.7.1 on recruitment costs of Vietnamese workers overseas: Results of the Labour Force Survey 2021

This report "Measuring sustainable development goal indicator 10.7.1 on recruitment costs of Vietnamese workers overseas: Results of the Labour Force Survey 2021" was developed using data from the Viet Nam Labour Force Survey 2021. This is the first time the General Statistics Office has released a study on Vietnamese workers abroad.

The report results showed basic characteristics of Vietnamese workers overseas within the last three years (2018-2021). In particular, the report has shown that, on average, Vietnamese workers going to work abroad had to use the equivalent of 7.4 months of their first-month salary to pay for or cover recruitment costs for getting their job abroad in the first place. Based on the study results, the report has proposed policy recommendations related to Vietnamese workers overseas.