The Hidden Struggles of Labor Migration in Nepal: A Call for Change Leave a comment
Nepal has long been one of the top countries in South Asia for labor migration, with millions of Nepali workers seeking employment opportunities abroad. However, behind the promise of financial stability lies a much more complex and painful reality, especially for families and children left behind. The effects of labor migration in Nepal go far beyond economic hardship—they touch the very core of families, relationships, and futures.
The Reality of Labor Migration in Nepal
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), nearly 2.5 million Nepalis are currently working overseas. The migration trend has steadily increased over the past two decades, with many leaving in search of better-paying jobs, particularly in the Gulf countries, Malaysia, and other parts of Asia. However, this migration comes at a high personal and emotional cost.
Nepali labor migrants are often subjected to harsh working conditions, low wages, and, in many cases, a lack of proper legal protection. The National Population and Housing Census (2011) revealed that approximately 60% of households in Nepal have experienced labor migration, making it a nationwide issue that affects nearly every corner of the country.
The Impact on Families: Fractured Homes and Struggles
While labor migration may offer short-term financial benefits, the long-term effects on families are severe. For many families, the absence of a primary breadwinner can lead to emotional and psychological strain. According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), over 75% of migrants are men, leaving behind wives and children who bear the burden of maintaining household stability without their support.
Women, especially, face additional challenges as they take on new roles as both caretakers and financial providers. Without the support of their husbands or male family members, many women experience increased stress, financial instability, and sometimes, emotional burnout.
Children are particularly vulnerable. Many are raised without the nurturing presence of their parents, often living in shelter homes or with extended family members. According to the Nepal Youth Foundation, over 10,000 children in Nepal are currently living in shelter homes, many of whom have lost their parents to labor migration.
The Impact on Children: Lost Childhoods and Shattered Futures
Labor migration directly affects children in profound ways. These young ones are deprived of the love, care, and emotional support they desperately need for healthy development. With one or both parents absent, children face higher risks of neglect, trauma, and even exploitation. The lack of parental care and guidance often leads to behavioral issues, poor educational outcomes, and a higher likelihood of being caught in cycles of poverty.
A study conducted by Save the Children Nepal found that 60% of children from migrant families are at risk of dropping out of school and entering the labor force at an early age. Without adequate guidance and support, these children are left to fend for themselves, often lacking the skills and resources necessary for a successful future.
Global Maheela: Empowering Families, Supporting Children
At Global Maheela, we recognize the deep impact labor migration has on families and children in Nepal. Our mission is to break the cycle of migration and create sustainable opportunities for families to thrive locally, without the need for labor migration abroad.
We aim to offer a solution that not only empowers families but also ensures that children grow up in stable, supportive environments. Here’s how we’re working to create lasting change:
- Market Access for Handmade Products
Global Maheela provides a platform for families to showcase their handmade products—such as textiles, jewelry, and organic herbs—on a global stage. This allows families to generate income locally, reducing the need to send their loved ones abroad for labor. By promoting sustainable livelihoods, we help ensure that children can stay in their homes, with their families, and receive the care they need.
- Training and Skill Development
We focus on empowering families, especially women, by providing them with business and digital skills training. This allows them to run sustainable businesses, access the global economy, and build a future without relying on the uncertain and often exploitative process of labor migration.
- Supporting Children from Migrant Families
Through our platform, we also focus on providing support to children who have been raised in shelter homes due to the loss of their parents to labor migration. We help them create small businesses, offering mentorship and market access, so they can build a brighter future for themselves, free from the cycle of abandonment.
- Youth Empowerment
We recognize that many youth who have faced hardship due to labor migration are eager to start their own businesses. By providing resources, mentorship, and access to markets, we help these young individuals build a sustainable future, empowering them to break free from the struggles of their past.
A Call for Change: Together, We Can Make a Difference
The effects of labor migration on families and children in Nepal are far-reaching, but they are not insurmountable. By creating local economic opportunities and supporting families with the resources they need to thrive, we can ensure that no child has to grow up without the love, care, and support of their parents.
At Global Maheela, we invite you to join us in making a difference. Every purchase made on our platform directly supports families who are working to break free from the cycle of labor migration. Together, we can create lasting, meaningful change and empower families to build a better, more sustainable future.
Learn more about how you can support Global Maheela’s mission and be part of the change.
