April 8: The government of Nepal is preparing to employ 600,000 people immediately after the lockdown ends. Those getting employment opportunities include various unemployed individuals as well as migrant workers unable to go abroad for work due to the lockdown.

According to the Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security, it is preparing to employ the individuals by listing them under the Prime Minister's Employment Program.

The enrolled individuals will be employed for 100 days.

Suman Ghimire, undersecretary at the Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security informed that the ministry will include individuals in the programme who are unable to go abroad for work despite receiving the approval. Also, migrant workers coming home in vacation and unemployed individuals will also be listed under the Prime Minister’s Employment Programme.

Ghimire further said that the individuals who were not able to go abroad for work will be provided with employment opportunity only by evaluating their economic condition. The local levels will be responsible for such making such evaluation.

According to Prime Minister’s Employment Programme Office, so far 1.3 million individuals have been listed in the programme. Among them, the government is planning to employee 500,000 individuals this year alone. The government will also include 100,000 individuals unable to go abroad for work and migrant workers returning home in vacation in the programme this year.