Skill development critical for accelerating economic growth in Nepal, says Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal

Skill development is critical to obtaining productive employment opportunities, accelerating economic growth and ensuring distributive justice as we pursue the development agenda of “no-one is left behind”, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said on Wednesday.

Addressing a programme organized to mark the International Labour Organizations 50 years of development partnership with Nepal on Wednesday in the Capital, PM Dahal said: “As about 500,000 Nepali workforce enters the labour market every year, creating employment opportunities for them requires not only skill-oriented training programs, but also quality education, massive investment in infrastructure, industrial and agricultural development.”

During the programme, PM Dahal and ILO Director General Guy Ryder jointly launched a book titled “50 Years of Partnership in Nepal”.
Stating that in recent years, Nepal has made further strides in promoting decent work, developing harmonious labour relations and ensuring social justice, PM Dahal said, “The constitution of Nepal promulgated last year has ensured the right to employment and right to choose employment. Agenda of inclusive development has been promoted with full commitment to civil liberties, values and norms of fundamental human rights, gender equality, right to form trade unions and engage in collective bargaining.”

“Our national development plans, labour laws, social protection rules and regulations, and national employment policy are directed towards promoting decent jobs, strengthening orderly, skilled and safe foreign employment, and creating productive and new employment opportunities at home,” he added.

Stating that he is happy to note Nepal has so far ratified seven of the eight core ILO conventions on international labour standards and labour rights, PM Dahal said Nepal is fully committed to internalizing the principles enshrined in those instruments.

“True realization of the 2030 Agenda rests upon the achievement of sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all as set under the Eighth Goal,” said PM Dahal.

The 2030 Agenda for sustainable development puts people and planet at its centre and gives the international community the impetus it needs to work together to tackle the formidable challenges confronting humanity, including those in the world of work.

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