ILO and Nepal Launch Training to Advance Evidence-Based Policymaking for Decent Work

The International Labour Organization (ILO), in collaboration with Nepal’s Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security (MoLESS), has launched a national training programme on Evidence-Based Policymaking for Social Justice and Decent Work for All. The five-day course, held in Nagarkot from 8–12 September 2025, brought together policymakers, researchers, trade unions, and employer organizations to strengthen Nepal’s capacity to design effective, data-driven labour market policies.

Addressing Nepal’s Labour Market Challenges

Nepal continues to face serious labour market hurdles:

• Slow job creation in both formal and informal sectors.

• High levels of informality, with most workers lacking social protection.

• Dependence on foreign employment, as remittances remain a lifeline for the economy.

These challenges are especially pressing as Nepal prepares for its graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status in 2026. The Government has already declared the Decade of Internal Employment Promotion, highlighting the urgency of creating more decent jobs at home.

ILO Country Director for Nepal, Numan Özcan, underlined the importance of data-driven approaches: “The future of work in Nepal depends on our ability to design policies that are not just visionary, but effective. Evidence is what makes this possible. This training equips policymakers and social partners with the skills to use data, research, and lived experiences to shape policies that create decent jobs and strengthen social justice.”

Building Capacity Through Practical Training

Participants included officials from eight ministries, as well as representatives of trade unions, employer organizations, and academia. Over the week, they learned to:

• Formulate strong, policy-relevant questions.

• Search for and critically evaluate evidence, including labour market data.

• Synthesize findings and communicate them effectively to stakeholders.

• Draft policy briefs on priority issues such as youth employment, informality, social protection, and migration costs.

Gyan Prasad Dhakal, Joint Secretary and Head of the Labour Relations Division at MoLESS, emphasized the long-term value of the initiative: “This training is a great opportunity for us to improve our policymaking guided by evidence, and hence has long-term benefits.”

From Principles to Practice

The training was facilitated by Dr. Naren Prasad of the ILO Research Department and Mr. Ken Shawa from the ILO’s Regional Economic and Social Analysis Unit. By the end of the course, participants had produced draft policy briefs on issues directly relevant to Nepal’s labour market priorities.

“This course is about turning evidence into action,” said Dr. Prasad. “By the end of the training, participants not only understood the principles of evidence-based policymaking but also applied them through drafting practical policy briefs.”

The briefs will be reviewed by ILO experts, and successful participants will receive certification from the ILO International Training Centre (ITC). A follow-up evaluation will measure how effectively the new skills are applied within participants’ respective institutions.

Supporting National and Regional Priorities

The programme aligns with the ILO’s Programme and Budget 2024–25, which prioritizes capacity development for governments and social partners. It also supports the Singapore Statement, adopted at the 17th Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting in 2022, which emphasizes the importance of evidence-based policymaking in achieving decent work.

Moreover, the training strengthens Nepal’s role as a Pathfinder Country under the UN Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection, which promotes integrated policies to generate employment and extend social protection coverage worldwide.

Looking Ahead

By equipping Nepalese policymakers and stakeholders with the tools to design evidence-based, inclusive, and effective labour market policies, this initiative aims to address the country’s pressing employment challenges while preparing it for the transition out of LDC status.

The ILO and MoLESS partnership represents a vital step in ensuring that Nepal’s development pathway is anchored in social justice, job creation, and sustainable economic growth.