Kathmandu. The government is preparing to bring a ‘remote work’ policy.
The policy is being brought under the economic reform implementation action plan prepared by the government. A committee formed by the government to implement the recommendations of the report of the High Level Economic Reform Suggestion Commission formed under the chairmanship of former Secretary Rameshwor Prasad Khanal has prepared an action plan with sectoral and ministerial responsibilities and deadlines.
The government will make provisions through the policy to add remote workers in the legal classification of employment types in the Labor Act and to register online as a remote worker at the labor office.
The government will open the legal route for Nepali citizens and non-resident Nepalis to stay in Nepal and work as remote workers of foreign companies. The government will make arrangements for nepali citizens or non-resident Nepalis who have worked remotely in regular employment of foreign companies to open an account in commercial banks in convertible currency and receive money from abroad in such account.
Similarly, arrangements will be made for remote workers to contribute to nepal’s social security fund. The foreign employer will be able to deposit the monthly contribution for the retirement or retirement security of the remote worker to the Social Security Fund of Nepal.
The government will impose a one-time income tax of 5 percent per annum on the salary benefits received by the company’s regular employment as a remote worker. Non-resident Nepalis carrying foreign passports can register as remote workers and the government will not require prior approval to send the money saved out of the foreign currency earned by them while working as remote workers abroad.
The government will adopt a policy to develop internet networks, invest in developing well-equipped co-working workplaces and other physical infrastructures to suit remote workers and encourage the private sector to invest.
The government plans to formulate this policy and implement it within a year.
