Safer Migration (SaMi) Program

Safer Migration (SaMi) project is a bilateral program between the Government of Nepal and the Government of Switzerland. It is implemented by the Government of Nepal Ministry of Labor Employment and Social Security in 156 local governments (39 districts). For this project Helvetas Nepal provides technical assistance on behalf of Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The program overall seeks that Nepalese migrant and their families are better protected by concerned Nepali institutions and benefit from decent work conditions in the country of destination. In total, SaMi works for the improvement of foreign employment governance.

With the funding support from Pokhara Metropolitan City, NEST undertook the SaMi program and implemented within Pokhara Metro City in the year 2080/81. The major component of the program “Migrants Resource Center (MRC)” is located within the premises of the District Administration Office (DAO) Kaski.  Therefore, the MRC center is hub for the whole Kaski district (even for Gandaki Province) from which program activities and information for safer foreign employment reach to other Palikas. In other words, Pokhara Metropolitan City is known as MRC Palika as the MRC is based in it.

The Safer Migration (SaMi) program provides potential migrant workers and their families with relevant, and accurate information about the safer foreign employment (safer migration), skill training and other associated services to help them make informed choices, and avoid exploitation. The program supports the migrants’ families through psychosocial counseling service to cope with emotional stress and help them providing financial management skills running financial literacy classes to make the best use of funds they receive from their members working abroad.

Key Activities:  

6.1.1 Access to Information (MRC / HELP DESK Kaski):

In Kaski district MRC (Migrants Resource Center OR Help Desk) is located at the DAO Office Kaski premises that informed potential migrants who visits about the implications of foreign employment and can referred them to support services. MRC is the hub from which program activities reach to villages of other SaMi Palikas (Annapurna, Machhapuchhre and Madi and even Rupa Rural Municipality) messages disseminated at community level through varied outreach mechanisms community orientation, in-depth orientation, and mobilization of returnee volunteers including radio program. This year 2080/81 a total of 11716 (male 6668, percentage 56.91% and female 5048, percentage 43.09%) people visited MRC Kaski and provided information them and raised awareness on Safer Foreign Employment. Through the MRC visitors empowered and helped them to migrate more effectively, efficiently and safely (including financially, physical y and mentally).

6.1.2 Access to Skills

The project provided information about one-month free-of-costs skills trainings in different trades like on garment manufacturing, masonry, shuttering carpentry, plumbing, scaffolding, and electricity work, kitchen helper, and housekeeping. MRC recommend 66 (28 female and 38 male) potential migrants for life skill training on different trades and helped them to lead higher salaries. It is expected that, in the coming year there will be increase number of potential migrant workers because of three trades skill training are available in Pokhara.

6.1.3 Access to Justice

The project through the MRC (Migrants Resource Center – Kaski) supported migrants’ workers and their families that were victims of fraud and exploitation to get access to justice. MRC, as an information hub informed migrants their rights, listed their (victims) voices, then coordinated with the mechanism established for the legal aid, helped them in tracking down fraudulent recruitment agencies and claim compensation through Foreign Employment Board Secretariat. Similarly, in fraudulent cases related to foreign employment process, Chief District Officer Kaski using honestly and genuinely state’s threat power mobilized security forces took actions like bringing culprit and victims together according to given law, and hearing some cases. Altogether, through the mainstreaming, mobilization and unified approach of the concerned stakeholder efforts and financial support from Foreign Employment Board, a total of Rs 12,38,74,500/- (male 11,11,63,500/-and female 1,27,11,000) financial support received.

6.1.4 Psychosocial Counseling Support

Safer Migration (SaMi) Program provided psychosocial counseling service to help migrants and their families left at home deal with the psychological and social stress generated by foreign employment. This service provided directly to migrants’ households, through home visits by our trained psychosocial counsellor Chinu Sunar. At least 13 needy people received this service and helped them to cope with unexpected mental pressure. It is also known that there are a numerous people living with psychological and social stress.

6.1.5 Access to Financial Literacy Class

Primarily targeting, remittance receiving households and women family members the SaMi program launched 4 financial literacy classes in Pokhara Metropolitan City. For example, Pokhara – 33 Shiba basti, Pokhara – 20 Bhalam. Pokhara 22, Baguwa Pumdikot, and Pokhara-27 Rithepani Machhapuchhre tol, to help families keep records of revenues and household expenses, to save, and to make financial decisions. These classes provided at local level through small group (25-30 in a group) with 21 sessions. This year 98 participants (100% female) members were trained on Financial literacy components to promote an increase in savings. The program agreement was signed on Mangsir 29, 2080 and program started from Pus 1, 2080. Due to delayed in an agreement, and phased out year (wrap-up year) the program implementation period shortened in six-months and due to the time constraints, the program team burdened time pressure in completing the activities.