Parliamentary committee questions use of procurement law to outsource workers

A parliamentary committee in Nepal has raised serious concerns regarding the outsourcing of workers through procurement laws. The Industry and Commerce, Labour and Consumer Interest Committee of the House of Representatives has warned that this practice is being exploited by both public and private sector entities to sidestep accountability and undermine the fundamental rights of laborers.

The committee's scrutiny highlights a growing trend where procurement legislation, typically designed for goods and services, is being adapted to contract out human resources. This method, according to the committee's observations, allows organizations to distance themselves from direct employment responsibilities, potentially leading to precarious working conditions and a lack of job security for outsourced staff. The practice is seen as a loophole that needs urgent attention to protect the workforce.

During a meeting, committee members discussed the implications of this widespread outsourcing. The core issue revolves around the potential for exploitation and the erosion of labor standards when workers are not directly employed. The committee's intervention signals a move to investigate and potentially regulate this aspect of labor contracting, aiming to ensure that workers' rights are not compromised in the pursuit of operational efficiency or cost savings by employers.