State Secretary Leonie Gebers welcomed Nepalese Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Security, Sharat Singh Bhandari, to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs in Berlin on 10 October.
The discussion focussed on Germany’s need for skilled labour. The two sides exchanged views on the amendments to the German Skilled Immigration Act and the possibilities of recruiting skilled workers from Nepal. "We want to create and foster a culture in Germany that is open and welcoming", said State Secretary Gebers. "It is important that all sides benefit from potential cooperation - Nepal as the country of origin, Germany as the recruiting country and Nepalese citizens who can find employment in Germany". This is above all to be realized by eliminating the obstacles encountered by skilled workers from third countries when they come to Germany and take up employment and by the best possible integration into the German labour market. Representatives from the Federal Employment Agency also participated in the discussion.
After the talks, the Federal Employment Agency and the Nepalese Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security signed a declaration of intent on the exchange of knowledge and on labour migration.