Nepal, Mauritius Near Labour Deal for Workers
Nepal's labour minister and Mauritius's counterpart advanced a government-to-government recruitment agreement during talks in Geneva.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Job Fairs
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Nepal and Mauritius moved closer to signing a bilateral labour agreement that would allow Nepali workers to be recruited through a government-to-government mechanism. Nepal is preparing to complete domestic procedures to finalise the revised draft memorandum of understanding.
Why it matters
The proposed agreement aims to expand employment opportunities for Nepali workers across various sectors while setting out recruitment, employer responsibility and worker welfare rules. Under the Employers Pay Principle, employers bear recruitment costs rather than workers.
The revised draft memorandum of understanding covers government-led recruitment, selection of skilled and trained workers, and repatriation after contracts end. No quantitative figures on recruitment volume or costs were reported.
The players
Ramji Yadav
Ramji Yadav is Nepal's Minister for Youth, Labour and Employment, responsible for overseeing the country's labour migration policy.
Mohamed Reza Cassam Uteem
Mohamed Reza Cassam Uteem is Mauritius's Minister of Labour and Industrial Relations, overseeing labour policy and employment relations in Mauritius.
The details
Nepal's Minister for Youth, Labour and Employment Ramji Yadav met Mauritius's Minister of Labour and Industrial Relations Mohamed Reza Cassam Uteem in Geneva, Switzerland. The revised draft sets procedures in line with the laws of both countries and outlines employer responsibilities, workers' rights and welfare provisions.
Timeline
- June 9: Bilateral ministerial meeting held in Geneva on the labour agreement.
Labour Migration Model
The Nepal-Mauritius draft follows a pattern of state-managed labour migration, in which governments rather than private recruiters control selection and placement of workers. It extends that model to a new bilateral pairing in the Indian Ocean region.
Nepali job seekers interested in working in Mauritius should watch for the final signed agreement, since recruitment is expected to run through government channels. Workers should confirm that any offer follows the official process once it takes effect.
The takeaway
Government-run recruitment channels aim to shift recruitment costs onto employers and set clearer rights for workers. Job seekers should check whether any future offer follows the official bilateral process.
What happens next
Nepal is preparing to complete domestic procedures to finalise the revised draft memorandum of understanding before signing with Mauritius.
Further reading
For related coverage of recruitment channels, see Job Fairs.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Business & Human Rights.
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