Progress Report on the Prime Minister's Employment Program

The Prime Minister's Employment Program (PMEP) has provided employment to approximately 48,000 unemployed individuals across Nepal from 2080 Shrawan 1 to 2081 Ashadh 10. Despite efforts, achieving the national goal remains a challenge due to budget constraints and an increase in the minimum wage.

Key Highlights:

• Employment Provided: 48,000 individuals
• Average Employment Duration: 79 days
• National Goal: 100 days of employment for 60,000 individuals
• Budget Allocation: NPR 5.9469 billion for fiscal year 2080/81

Budget and Targets:

• Originally, the program aimed to provide employment to 86,000 individuals.
• Due to an increase in the minimum wage from NPR 15,000 to NPR 17,300, the goal was adjusted to 60,000 individuals.
• With 20 days remaining in the fiscal year, meeting the target remains challenging.

Program Insights:

• Official Statement: Deputy Director and Undersecretary Shobhakumari Pokharel claims that more individuals will receive employment than initially targeted.
• Local Level Projects: Progress in local-level projects has been significant, though some statistics are not updated.
• Employment Duration: The program is designed to provide a minimum of 100 days of employment, but shorter durations have increased the number of people employed.

Unemployment Statistics:

• Registered Unemployed Individuals: 885,154

  • Women: 535,355
  • Men: 384,709
  • Others: 90

• Municipalities Involved: 738

  • Target: Employment for 60,000 individuals within budget constraints
  • Achieved: Employment for about 48,000 individuals

Challenges and Observations:

• National Planning Commission Study: The program has not fully achieved its goals.
• Foreign Employment Increase: Over 682,000 youths have sought employment abroad in the current fiscal year.
• Implementation: The program is active in 727 local levels, but 26 local levels have yet to start the program.

Conclusion:

The Prime Minister's Employment Program has made notable progress, providing short-term employment to thousands of individuals. However, budget constraints and increased foreign employment present significant challenges to achieving the national employment goals. Continued efforts and strategic adjustments are necessary to enhance the program's effectiveness and reach its targets.