Nepal-Germany Pact: Skilled Labor & Knowledge Exchange

On Tuesday, October 11, 2023, Nepal and Germany signed an important Joint Declaration of Intent (JDoI) focusing on Skilled Labour Migration and Knowledge Exchange. The agreement took place at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of Germany, reflecting a significant step toward enhancing bilateral relations between the two nations.

The JDoI was signed by Ram Kaji Khadka, Ambassador of Nepal to Germany, and Michael van der Cammen, director of International Affairs at the German Federal Employment Agency. They represented their respective governments in the presence of Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security Sharat Singh Bhandari and Leonie Gebers, State Secretary (Deputy Minister) of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of Germany. Prior to the signing, a bilateral meeting occurred between high-level Nepali and German delegations led by the minister and state secretary. The delegations primarily discussed skilled labor migration, Nepal’s commitment to legal migration, workers’ welfare and social security, German language and vocational training, as well as circular migration.

This JDoI aims to promote legal labor migration from Nepal to Germany while ensuring fairness. It sets the groundwork for institutional arrangements regarding Nepali skilled workers immigrating based on the needs of the German job market. Significant emphasis is also placed on improving workers’ welfare and social security and fostering knowledge exchange via language learning, vocational training, and circular migration.

Nepal is poised to reap numerous benefits from this agreement, such as the opening of new avenues for skilled Nepali workers to legally migrate and work in sectors needing qualified labor in Germany. Improved welfare and social security for Nepali workers in Germany will be achieved through transparent recruiting procedures, decent work conditions, and access to health and social services. Additionally, the partnership between Nepal and Germany in areas like vocational training, language learning, and labor market development will promote knowledge exchange. This agreement will also bolster Nepal's economic development through increased remittances, skills transfer, and circular migration, as well as fortify bilateral relations between the two nations, fostering mutual respect, trust, and friendship.