Nepal and Saudi Arabia have signed a bilateral labour agreement. The agreement was signed in Riyadh with the objective of promoting safe, systematic, and dignified foreign employment for general workers.
The signing ceremony held on Monday was attended by Nepal’s Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security, Rajendra Singh Bhandari, and Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi. Prior to the signing, the labour ministers of both countries also held a bilateral meeting.
Minister Bhandari expressed confidence that the agreement would make the recruitment process for Nepali workers more transparent, fair, and cost-effective, while strengthening the rights, welfare, and job security of Nepali workers employed in Saudi Arabia.
The agreement, concluded after more than a decade of efforts, includes provisions related to services and benefits, working conditions, social security, health services, grievance handling mechanisms, and protection of workers’ rights. It is expected to enhance the safety and stability of Nepali workers currently working in Saudi Arabia as well as those who will go there in the future.
At present, complaints are frequently reported regarding issues such as non-payment of minimum wages, alteration of employment contracts, restrictions on returning home, and negligence in medical treatment in Saudi Arabia.
About the Author
