To tackle the main challenges of migrant workers and their families and improve their conditions, the Safer Migration (SaMi) Programme, a bilateral initiative of the Government of Switzerland and Government of Nepal (GoN), was launched in 2011. Following three successive phases of imple-mentation, it is now entering its fourth phase (2024-2028), also known as the final phase with the gradual and total exit of the technical assistance. From the outset, the program has aimed to meet the needs of migrant workers by addressing a number of challenges that they and their families face prior to departure, during their stay in the countries of destination and to some ex-tent upon return, given that labor migration in Nepal is temporary and circular in nature. In view of the existing gaps, SaMi was designed to ensure that migrants and their families would be better protected by government institutions and enjoy safer working conditions abroad. The implementa-tion strategy has always been twofold, focusing both on service delivery to migrant workers and their families as well as on a systemic approach, i.e. institutional strengthening of the GoN to en-sure ownership and sustainability of the programme.

The SaMi programme has focused on five components:

1. Access to quality information and counseling on safe labor migration

2. Skills development 

3. Access to justice services

4. Financial litera-cy

5. Support for psychosocial services