AP Migration Asia Pacific Migration Network ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all aspects of human life including the world of work. Migrant workers appeared to be one of the most vulnerable groups. Use of services of Private Recruitment Agencies (PRAs) is the most prevalent approach among Nepali migrant workers when seeking foreign employment. In response to the pandemic, the Integrated Programme on Fair Recruitment (FAIR), funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, launched a study in August 2020 to understand the way in which the recruitment industry in Nepal has been impacted by the pandemic. This report summarizes the findings of the assessment and identifies a number of key recommendations to assist the government and other stakeholders to ensure fair recruitment for migrant workers moving forward.

Description of the disaster Arrival of Two Boats carrying migrants in Aceh, Indonesia On 24 June 2020, three local fishermen rescued 99 migrants from a damaged boat on Lancok Coast, North Aceh district. The migrants were brought to shore and transferred to a training facility owned by the Lhokseumawe City government. After a headcount, it was disclosed that the group consisted of 31 women, 40 girls, 16 boys, and 12 men. Due to language barrier, it was challenging to establish communication with the migrants. However, a migrant who spoke English and Malay was later identified among the group. It was revealed that the group departed from Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh and may have been at sea for up to four months and that an additional 17 migrants initially aboard the boat, may have died during the journey. With permission from local government, the migrants were permitted to remain in the facility. Needs assessment was conducted jointly through local coordination on the ground involving several organizations, including UNHCR, IOM, PMI, Jesuit Refugee Services (JRS), Getanyoe Foundation, in coordination with the local authorities. Several organizations including PMI, UNHCR, and IOM were granted permission to work in the facility to support the migrants.