Introduction to Globalization:

Globalization is the process that allows goods produced in one country or workers from one country to enter any country in the world without any restrictions. In other words, globalization is essentially the integration of a national economy with the global market.

In today's era, the entire world has become one. All countries in the world are interconnected from economic, political, social, cultural, technological, etc., perspectives.

People from one country go to another country for employment, business, etc. Goods produced in one country are sold in another country without any restrictions.

The main factors contributing to the rapid globalization in today's era are technological advancements, economic liberalization, development in the transportation sector, progress in the communication sector, the World Bank, the World Trade Organization, the International Monetary Fund, regional economic organizations, etc.

Nepal entered globalization with the start of privatization and liberalization from the decade of 2050 BS (1990s). However, Nepal has not been able to take full advantage of it. Nepal needs to increase its competitive capacity to take full advantage of it.

Positive Aspects of Globalization:

Globalization has many positive aspects. The main positive aspects are as follows:

1. Market Expansion: Globalization has made international markets accessible, significantly expanding the market for goods and services. Goods produced in the country can be exported to international markets, earning large amounts of foreign currency. This can increase production, employment, and income in the country, raising the living standards of the people.
2. Foreign Employment and Remittance Income: Globalization has played a significant role in solving the problem of unemployment in underdeveloped countries like Nepal. As of now, more than four million youths from Nepal have found foreign employment. This has resulted in a large inflow of remittance income. Currently, the remittance income received by Nepal is about 28% of the total gross domestic product.
3. Poverty Reduction: Globalization has played a significant role in reducing poverty in many underdeveloped countries like Nepal. In Nepal, in the fiscal year 2051/52 BS (1994/1995 AD), 42% of the population was below the poverty line. By the fiscal year 2082/83 BS (2025/2026 AD), the population below the poverty line had decreased to 21.6%. The main reason for this is that after globalization, Nepal gained access to foreign employment opportunities, and the resulting remittance income was distributed in Nepal.
4. Acquisition of Technology: Underdeveloped countries like Nepal, which were far behind in terms of technological development, have acquired new and high-level technology due to globalization. For example, mobile phones, computers, transportation equipment, etc., are imported from other countries. If globalization had not occurred, it would not have been possible to use these goods.
5. Benefit to International Consumers: Globalization has increased competition among international producers. They are forced to produce high-quality goods at low cost. This has benefited consumers in the international market, who have access to quality goods at reasonable prices.

Negative Aspects of Globalization:

Globalization has not only positive aspects or benefits but also negative aspects or disadvantages. These are as follows:

1. Adverse Impact on Underdeveloped Countries: Underdeveloped countries like Nepal are behind in terms of technology, skills, knowledge, etc. The industries in these countries cannot compete with the industries in developed countries and other industrialized countries. Therefore, the industries in underdeveloped countries, unable to compete, face the possibility of closure. This can lead to the loss of domestic employment.
2. Brain Drain: Brain drain refers to the migration of educated, skilled, and trained citizens of a country to another country in search of better opportunities. Due to globalization, there is a rapid trend of educated, skilled, trained, and capable human resources from underdeveloped countries seeking better opportunities in developed countries like the United States of America, Canada, Australia, Britain, etc. This is a significant loss for the nation.
3. Environmental Degradation: Globalization has led to market expansion, significantly increasing the demand for goods. To meet this expanded demand, large-scale production of goods leads to emissions of smoke, dust, toxic substances, etc., causing environmental degradation.
4. Decrease in Savings and Investment: Due to globalization, cheap and luxurious goods have been imported into poor countries like Nepal. This has led to a decrease in national savings. When national savings decrease, national investment also decreases. The lack of investment can trap poor countries in poverty. Therefore, a situation has been created where poor countries remain poor.
5. Economic Dependence: Due to globalization, no country is forced to produce all goods themselves. Every country produces only those goods that are profitable or can be produced cheaper than others, while importing other goods. This has increased economic dependence among countries worldwide.

Introduction to Economic Liberalization:

Economic liberalization is the process of freeing a country's economy from government control or intervention and encouraging the private sector to participate in economic activities.

In other words, liberalization is the economic policy of giving the authority to decide things like what to produce, how much to price, where to sell, what quality of goods to produce, etc., to the individual or enterprise that is actually producing.

In such an economic policy, the government does not unnecessarily interfere with the private sector. Therefore, entrepreneurs can work independently. This leads to the proper circulation and use of resources, and consumers can obtain good quality goods at reasonable prices.

Economic liberalization started in Nepal from the fiscal year 2048/49 BS (1991/1992 AD). After economic liberalization, private banks, private universities, private hospitals, etc., have come into operation in Nepal. Simultaneously, after adopting the liberalization policy, the Government of Nepal started the process of privatizing public enterprises. 

As of now, 30 public enterprises have been privatized in Nepal.

Positive Aspects of Economic Liberalization: 

Economic liberalization has many positive aspects. These are as follows:

1. High Economic Growth: Economic liberalization encourages the private sector, leading to increased investment. It also attracts direct foreign investment. Increased investment leads to increased national production, resulting in a higher economic growth rate for the country. For example, Nepal achieved a high economic growth rate due to the economic liberalization implemented by the Government of Nepal in 2050 BS (1993 AD). However, later, internal conflict and political instability caused Nepal's economic growth rate to decline.
2. Industrial Development: Under economic liberalization, as the private sector can invest independently, and it also helps attract foreign investment, it contributes to the industrial development of the country.
3. Increase in Employment: Economic liberalization leads to increased investment and rapid industrialization, creating new employment opportunities. This helps in solving the problem of unemployment in the country.
4. Benefit to Consumers: In economic liberalization, competition among producers leads to the production of quality goods at lower prices. Consumers also have the freedom to consume goods according to their preferences. Therefore, economic liberalization benefits consumers.
5. Reduction of Trade Deficit: Economic liberalization plays a significant role in increasing foreign trade. In economic liberalization, there are no restrictions on imports and exports. Therefore, as domestic industries produce goods based on comparative advantage, exports increase, and the country's trade deficit decreases.

Negative Aspects of Economic Liberalization: 

Although economic liberalization has many positive aspects, it also has some negative aspects or disadvantages. 

These are as follows:

1. End of Traditional Technology, Skills, and Knowledge: Economic liberalization creates fierce competition among producers, forcing them to produce quality goods at lower prices using modern technology, skills, and knowledge. This leads to the end of traditional technology, skills, and knowledge.
2. Unhealthy Competition: In economic liberalization, any entrepreneur or producer has to produce quality goods at low cost to survive. This can lead to unhealthy competition among entrepreneurs or producers.
3. Increase in Unemployment: In economic liberalization, modern technology has to be used to compete. This displaces labor, leading to an increase in unemployment in the country.
4. Pollution and Other Environmental Problems: Due to economic liberalization, large industries from wealthy or developed countries are established in underdeveloped countries in search of cheap labor. The smoke, dust, toxic substances, noise, etc., emitted from these large industries cause pollution as well as other environmental problems.
5. Increase in Economic Inequality: Economic liberalization has increased economic inequality. Currently, in the world, the rich are becoming richer, and the poor are becoming poorer. Economic liberalization is one of the reasons for this.

Introduction to Privatization

Privatization is the process of transferring ownership of assets, industries, businesses, etc., that are under government ownership to the ownership of the private sector. 

In other words, privatization is the transfer of ownership of industries, businesses, or government organizations that are under government ownership to the private sector, either partially or fully, or involving the private sector in the management of such organizations. 

Its main objective is to reduce the role of the government and to make the private sector strong and involve it in productive businesses.

Industries established by the government are called public enterprises. In Nepal, before 2007 BS (1950 AD), only two public enterprises were established: Nepal Bank Limited and Raghupati Jute Mills. After the implementation of the First Five-Year Plan in 2013 BS (1956 AD), the establishment and development of public enterprises gained momentum. 

By the end of the Seventh Five-Year Plan (2042-2047 BS, 1985-1990 AD), 65 public enterprises had been established.

Some of the major public enterprises included Bhrikuti Paper Mills, Bansbari Leather and Shoe Factory, Nepal Telecommunications Corporation, Nepal Oil Corporation, Birgunj Sugar Factory, Lumbini Sugar Factory, Nepal Transport Corporation, etc. However, after the political change of 2046 BS (1990 AD), the then government formulated a policy to privatize public enterprises. As of now, 30 public enterprises have been privatized in Nepal.

Positive Aspects of Privatization: 

Privatization is an important economic policy. It plays a significant role in the expansion and development of the economy by making optimal and maximum use of the available resources and means in the country.

The main positive aspects or benefits or importance of privatization can be mentioned as follows:

1. Increase in Competition: Public enterprises receive government subsidies and operate under a monopoly. Therefore, they lack competitive capacity. However, after privatization, such industries or businesses have to compete with other industries or businesses. This forces them to increase production capacity by adopting modern technology and effective management. Consequently, competitive capacity increases, leading to the production of better and cheaper goods.
2. Reduction in Government Intervention: Public enterprises are under the control of the government. Therefore, there is unnecessary government intervention in their operation. Due to government intervention, their work efficiency is negatively affected. Thus, privatization is very important to eliminate unnecessary government intervention.
3. Increase in Revenue: After the sale of loss-making industries under government ownership to the private sector, the government levies various types of taxes on the income and profits earned by them. This increases government income or revenue.
4. Creation of Employment Opportunities: After privatization, as government intervention ends, industries and businesses are operated efficiently. Simultaneously, with the expansion of these industries, the number of other related industries also increases. This creates new employment opportunities.
5. Increase in Consumer Satisfaction: Public enterprises often neglect consumer demand, preferences, taste, choice, etc. However, private industries and businesses produce goods and services according to consumer demand, preferences, taste, choice, etc., which increases consumer satisfaction.

Negative Aspects of Privatization:

The negative aspects or disadvantages of privatization are as follows:

1. Neglect of Public Welfare: The main objective of the private sector is to maximize profit. Therefore, it only produces goods and services that generate high profits. It does not pay attention to the production of essential goods and services for the public, such as education, health, public transport, drinking water, electricity, etc., which have lower profit margins.
2. Unemployment: The private sector always aims to minimize costs and maximize profits. For this, it uses modern technology, which can displace workers and create unemployment.
3. Labor Exploitation: The private sector often pays low salaries or wages to workers and makes them work for longer hours. Thus, there is extensive exploitation of labor in privatization.
4. Increase in Economic Inequality: When industries or national assets under government ownership are privatized, only a few wealthy individuals can afford to buy them. They become owners, while people from poor communities become workers. The income of the owner class increases, making them even wealthier than before, while the working class remains poor, leading to an increase in economic inequality in the country.
5. Neglect of Backward Areas: Since the main objective of the private sector is to maximize profit, it does not want to do business in backward areas where there is less infrastructure and market potential. This hinders the development of backward areas.
6. Misuse of Resources: Instead of producing essential goods, the private sector prioritizes the production of fashionable, luxurious, and convenient goods and services with the aim of maximizing profit. This neglects the needs and interests of the majority of the population and the nation. Therefore, in privatization, resources are misused by producing unnecessary goods and services rather than essential ones.

Meaning of Economic Inequality

In our society, some people are rich, while many are poor. The rich have many income-generating assets such as houses, land, industries, businesses, etc. On the other hand, the poor have no income-generating assets, or if they do, they are very few. 

In other words, the distribution of income and wealth among the citizens of the country is unequal. Some people are rich, but many are poor. 

This unequal distribution of income and wealth among the citizens of a country is called economic inequality. Economic inequality is a problem in almost all countries in the world.

In countries with economic inequality, a few individuals, who are very wealthy or in a small number, receive a large portion of the national income, while the majority of the poor, who are in large numbers, receive only a small portion of the national income. 

The unequal distribution of national income or economic inequality creates social conflict, revolution, political instability, unemployment, poverty, etc. 

Therefore, it is considered undesirable and unjust from a political, economic, and social perspective.

Causes of Economic Inequality

There are various causes of economic inequality. These causes are influenced by the economic, social, political, cultural, religious, etc., aspects of a country.

The main causes of economic inequality can be mentioned as follows:

(a) Inheritance of Property: In Nepal, since sons inherit the property of their fathers, the sons of rich fathers become rich, and the sons of poor fathers remain poor. Thus, the economic inequality of the past continues to be maintained in the present and the future.

(b) Unemployment: Nepal faces a significant problem of unemployment and disguised unemployment. Unemployed individuals cannot earn income. Therefore, unemployed people remain poor, while employed people earn income, leading to an improved economic situation. Thus, unemployment is also a causative factor of economic inequality.

(c) High Population Growth: High population growth is also a cause of economic inequality. Poor people tend to have more children, resulting in larger families. When their family splits, the little property they have is also divided, becoming even smaller. On the other hand, rich people have fewer children, so they do not face this problem. Consequently, economic inequality is created in the country.

(d) Unequal Distribution of Wealth: In less developed and agricultural-dominated countries like Nepal, the main sources of income are land, livestock, houses, etc. These sources of income are mostly owned by a few people, while many people own very little. The rich earn a lot of income from these sources, while the poor earn little income. Therefore, the unequal distribution of wealth creates economic inequality.

(e) Differences in Inherent Abilities: People have different inherent abilities. Even brothers and sisters born to the same parents and having received the same education are found to have different abilities. Individuals who are inherently talented earn more wealth and income, while individuals who are inherently weak earn less wealth and income. Thus, differences in inherent abilities create economic inequality.

(f) Inequality in Education, Training, and Opportunities: Not all people can get equal opportunities. People who have received good education, training, and opportunities earn higher salaries or income, while people who have not received good education, training, and opportunities earn lower salaries or income. Thus, inequality in education, training, and opportunities creates economic inequality.

Measurement of Economic Inequality

There are various methods to measure economic inequality. Among these various methods, the Gini coefficient is the most popular method. 

It measures the level of inequality in the distribution of income and wealth using a statistical method. Its value ranges from 0 to 1. A value of 0 indicates perfect equality, while a value of 1 indicates perfect inequality. 

If the Gini coefficient is close to 0, it means that economic inequality is low. Conversely, if the Gini coefficient is close to 1, it indicates that economic inequality is high.

Measures to Reduce Inequality

Many countries around the world, including Nepal, face a significant problem of economic inequality. Therefore, it is essential to reduce inequality. 

The following measures should be adopted to reduce inequality in Nepal:

(a) Economic inequality can be reduced by implementing a progressive tax system. In a progressive tax system, the tax rate is higher for individuals with higher incomes and lower for individuals with lower incomes. 

(b) Economic inequality can be reduced by providing employment to the unemployed population. 

(c) Economic inequality can be reduced by controlling high population growth, which is a significant cause of economic inequality. 

(d) Economic inequality can be reduced by increasing the salaries and wages of workers in both the formal and informal sectors in Nepal. 

(e) Economic inequality can be reduced by providing free education, skill development, and training opportunities to low-income families. 

(f) Economic inequality can be reduced by providing allowances and pensions to the disabled, sick, single women, elderly, etc. 

(g) Inheritance of property is also a causative factor of economic inequality. Therefore, the legal right of sons to inherit ancestral property should be abolished, and there should be a legal provision allowing parents to distribute property according to their wishes. This will help reduce economic inequality.

Problems of Foreign Employment and Measures for Solutions

(a) Problems of Foreign Employment: 

Most Nepalese workers going for foreign employment are unskilled. They also lack information about foreign languages, laws, regulations, and the skills and knowledge required for the work they will be doing. Therefore, they have to face many problems in the process of foreign employment. 

The main problems of foreign employment are as follows:

1. Unskilled Laborers: Most Nepalese going for foreign employment are unskilled. Therefore, they receive lower salaries compared to workers from other countries.
2. Risky Work: Most Nepalese going for foreign employment are unskilled, so they have to do difficult and risky jobs. This leads to deaths, injuries, and disabilities in the workplaces. However, there is a lack of related records.
3. Lack of Protection: Nepalese going to work in countries where Nepal does not have an embassy are not protected or monitored. Even in countries where Nepal has an embassy, the embassy staff often do not pay attention, leaving the workers helpless when they face problems.
4. Use of Illegal Routes: Many Nepalese are found to go to conflict-ridden countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, etc., using illegal routes through India. Those who go for foreign employment using illegal routes face the most problems. There are also complaints of physical exploitation and forced prostitution of women going for foreign employment using illegal routes.
5. Expensive: Foreign employment has become very expensive due to various reasons such as having to stay in Kathmandu for a long time while waiting to go, and recruitment agencies charging high fees.

(b) Measures for Solutions for Foreign Employment: 

The following suggestions can be given to solve the problems of foreign employment mentioned above:

(a) Youths wishing to go for foreign employment should be encouraged to go only after acquiring skill development or training. This will enable them to find easier jobs and also receive higher salaries. 

(b) If a mandatory insurance law is enacted for those going for foreign employment, it will provide some financial relief to their families even if they die or become disabled in an accident. 

(c) Embassies should be opened in the countries where Nepalese go to work, and arrangements should be made for labor agreements. This will help in protecting Nepalese who have gone for foreign employment and in developing and expanding the labor market. 

(d) Since many problems arise when many Nepalese go to conflict-ridden countries and countries not approved for foreign employment using illegal routes through India, this should be completely discouraged. Cooperation with India and other South Asian countries is necessary for this. 

(e) Arrangements should be made to complete all processes through local administration to end the situation of having to stay in Kathmandu for foreign employment. 

(f) Foreign employment agencies should be encouraged to establish themselves at the local level. This can significantly reduce the cost of going for foreign employment.

Concept of Foreign Employment

Foreign employment refers to the situation where citizens of one country go to work in another country for the purpose of earning income. In the present context, many young people from underdeveloped countries like Nepal are forced to migrate abroad due to the lack of domestic employment. 

According to the decision of the Government of Nepal, 110 countries have been opened for foreign employment so far. The main destination countries among them are Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, South Korea, etc. 

By the end of the fiscal year 2082/83 BS (2025/2026 AD), the number of Nepalese who have gone abroad for employment has reached around 4.5 million. This trend has not stopped and is increasing day by day.

The money sent by citizens of one country working in another country to their own country is called remittance. As the number of Nepalese citizens going for foreign employment has increased, remittances have also increased rapidly. 

In the fiscal year 2081/82 BS (2024/2025 AD), Nepal received approximately 917 billion rupees in remittances, which was about 28% of the total gross domestic product.

Importance of Foreign Employment

Foreign employment and the remittances received from it have significant importance for less developed or underdeveloped countries like Nepal. Since Nepal's economy is based on remittances, it is also called a remittance economy. 

The importance of foreign employment for underdeveloped countries like Nepal can be mentioned as follows:

(a) Solution to Unemployment Problem: Nepal faces a serious problem of unemployment. A large portion of the population is trapped in underemployment and disguised unemployment. Foreign employment has played a significant role in solving this type of unemployment problem.

(b) Remittance Income: Remittance income is received from foreign employment. As the number of Nepalese going for foreign employment has increased, remittance income has also been increasing. The importance of this remittance income is increasing day by day because it is the main source of foreign currency. A large trade deficit of Nepal is being filled by its help.

(c) Poverty Reduction: Income received from foreign employment is distributed in the households of the concerned workers. This increases the family income and also increases consumption. This leads to improvement in the standard of living, which helps in reducing poverty. Remittance is the main causative factor of the recent reduction in poverty in Nepal.

(d) Skilled and Trained Human Resources: People who go for foreign employment become familiar with high and new technologies. They also gain experience while working. After returning to their home country, they can use the skills, knowledge, and experience learned abroad.

(e) Increase in National Income: Remittances received from foreign employment play a significant role in increasing national income. This leads to capital formation, which helps in increasing production, and consequently, national income also increases.

Disadvantages of Foreign Employment

Despite the significant importance of foreign employment in Nepal, it also has disadvantages. 

The disadvantages of foreign employment can be mentioned as follows:

(a) Increase in Dependency: Although foreign employment is beneficial in the short term, it is very harmful in the long term. It increases dependency. Instead of developing the feeling among people to do something in their own country, it increases the habit of working abroad and using foreign goods.

(b) Brain Drain: Due to foreign employment, skilled, trained, educated, and healthy human resources in the country migrate abroad for attractive salaries. This creates a shortage of skilled human resources within the country. Nepal is currently facing this problem.

(c) Difficulty in Economic Development: When the country's skilled and capable human resources are attracted to foreign employment, there is a shortage of human resources needed in the country. This creates a significant difficulty in the country's economic development.

(d) Family Problems: Families of individuals who have been in foreign employment for a long time often face many problems. Misuse of income earned from foreign employment, children going astray, children dropping out of school due to the absence of parents, etc., are some of the problems that have arisen. Similarly, many cases of strained relationships and divorces between husbands and wives are found.

(e) Human Cost: The income or remittances received from foreign employment come at a high human cost or sacrifice. Living away from family, doing difficult and risky work in other countries, etc., are some of the costs of remittances received from foreign employment. Additionally, many Nepalese have lost their lives in foreign lands during the process of foreign employment.

Causes of Unemployment

In Nepal, about 67% of the total population is engaged in agriculture. Agriculture is their main source of income. The contribution of the agricultural sector to Nepal's total gross domestic product is about 31%. 

Since the pace of industrial development has been very slow, agriculture has become the source of employment for the majority of the population. 

In reality, the industrial sector has not been able to create employment opportunities within the country, forcing a large number of young Nepali men and women to seek foreign employment. This reflects the reality of unemployment in Nepal.

The causes of unemployment in less developed countries like Nepal can be explained as follows:

(a) High Population Growth Rate: Many underdeveloped countries like Nepal have a high population growth rate. According to the National Census 2058 BS (2001 AD), Nepal's population growth rate was 2.25%, whereas the population growth rate in the 2068 BS (2011 AD) census decreased to 1.35%. This shows that about four hundred thousand people are added to Nepal's labor market annually, but new employment is created for only one hundred thousand people annually. This forces a large portion of the population to remain unemployed.

(b) Subsistence Farming Practices: Nepal's agricultural practices are subsistence-oriented. Agriculture is considered more as a means of survival than a business. Therefore, Nepali farmers do not grow various crops, do not cultivate throughout the year, and do not use new technologies. This results in farmers being employed for only about six months a year and remaining unemployed for the rest of the time. Consequently, disguised unemployment and seasonal unemployment are prevalent in many agricultural-dominated countries like Nepal.

(c) Low Industrial Development: Although the history of industrial development in Nepal dates back to the Rana regime, its pace of development has been very slow. Many government-owned industries established in the past have closed down due to inefficiency. There is a lack of a favorable environment for opening new industries. This has prevented the creation of employment opportunities within the country. Therefore, a significant level of unemployment exists in Nepal.

(d) Low Rural Development: Nepal is a country filled with villages. More than 80% of the total population resides in rural areas. However, the areas where such a large population resides are very backward from a development perspective. The infrastructure for development, such as transportation, electricity, telephone, banks, schools, colleges, hospitals, etc., has not developed satisfactorily. Similarly, small, medium, and large-scale industries have not been established. Therefore, due to the lack of any kind of employment opportunities in rural areas, people residing in villages are forced to live in a state of full unemployment, underemployment, and disguised unemployment.

(e) Impractical and Defective Education System: Nepal's education system is impractical and defective. Instead of providing students with life-oriented, practical, and timely education, theoretical and traditional knowledge is imparted, which is not useful in real life. On the other hand, our education system has established the wrong notion that educated people should not do manual labor. This has led to an increase in educated unemployment in Nepal.

(f) Lack of Suitable Economic Policies: Suitable economic policies play a significant role in creating employment. In a context where suitable economic policies exist, investment increases, industrial development accelerates, development infrastructure is constructed, etc. This greatly helps in increasing employment in the country. However, Nepal lacks such economic policies.

(g) Conflict and Political Instability: The decade-long conflict in Nepal and the subsequent political instability have further complicated the problem of unemployment. During this period, the country's economic growth rate declined, and the industrial sector came to a standstill. The state's focus shifted to constitution-making rather than investment, capital formation, and production growth. Development expenditure was widely affected. All these factors prevented the growth of new employment opportunities, leading to an increase in unemployment.

Programs for Employment Promotion

The problem of unemployment can only be solved by providing new technology and market-oriented education, training, and skills to the available human resources in the country. The constitution of Nepal guarantees the right to employment for every citizen.

Unemployment remains a significant challenge in Nepal, particularly among youth and rural populations. According to the National Statistics Office, the overall unemployment rate increased from 11.4% in 2017-18 to 12.6% in 2022-23, with youth unemployment (ages 15-24) at 22.7% during the same period.

Due to the lack of sufficient employment opportunities in the country, a large number of youths are forced to migrate abroad for employment.

To address this issue, the Government of Nepal has implemented several programs aimed at enhancing employment opportunities and workforce skills:​

1. Prime Minister Employment Program (PMEP): Established under the Right to Employment Act (2018), PMEP aims to provide job matching, career counseling, and employment promotion services through Employment Service Centres (ESCs).

2. Youth Employment Transformation Initiative (YETI): Launched in collaboration with the World Bank, YETI strengthens the PMEP by improving employment services and labor market outcomes for youth, especially women from poor and marginalized communities.

3. Skills for Employment Programme: Supported by UKaid, this initiative focuses on equipping Nepali individuals, particularly women and disadvantaged groups, with skills to seize employment opportunities both domestically and internationally.

Additionally, the government organized a National Labor and Employment Conference in March 2025 to foster coordination and collaboration between different sectors and organizations, aiming to support strategic action plans for promoting internal employment over the next decade.

Despite these efforts, the unemployment rate remains high, indicating the need for continued and enhanced strategies to create sustainable employment opportunities within Nepal.