Event Report: Movie on the House
Film Screened: The Korean Dream (Directed by Ashok Thapa) Date: 24th July 2026 Time: 3:00 PM Moderator: Shriju Thapa Report Prepared By: Rukesh Paudel and Amesh Pandey.
Overview
“Movie on the House” was organized as a screening and panel discussion event centered
around the documentary The Korean Dream byAshok Thapa. The documentary explores
the lived experiences of Nepali migrant workers abroad, offering an honest and moving
portrayal of the opportunities, struggles, and sacrifices that define labour migration from
Nepal.
Following the screening, a panel discussion was held to further explore the themes raised in
the film, featuring perspectives from legal experts, returnee workers, and civil society
voices. The event was also graced by the presence of the Korean Ambassador, whose
remarks added significant depth to the conversation.
Panelists
Som Prasad Luitel – Human Rights Lawyer
Youb Raj Basnet
Durga Pokhrel
Sushan Bhattarai
Special Guest: Park Taeyong, Korean Ambassador
Moderator: Shriju Thapa, IIDS
Panel Discussion Summary
Opening Context
The moderator opened the discussion by highlighting the scale of labour migration from
Nepal and its human cost. According to figures shared, 1,336 Nepali workers died in FY
2023/24, with 1,211 of those deaths occurring in Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Qatar, and the UAE
— the top destination countries for migrant labour. Despite these risks, remittances
continue to serve as a pillar of Nepal’s economy.
On Opportunities Abroad and Reintegration — Sushan Bhattarai
Drawing on his own experience studying abroad, Sushan noted that for many young
Nepalis, migration is closely tied to aspiration. He pointed to three key factors: greater
accessibility to funding and opportunities abroad, particularly for young entrepreneurs; the
strong personal and professional connections built after several years overseas; and the
pressing question of reintegration — how returning workers can apply their skills to
contribute meaningfully to Nepal’s economy.
On the Human Cost Behind the Statistics — Durga Pokhrel
Speaking from personal experience as a returnee migrant worker, Durga shared that
behind every migration statistic is a family navigating real hardship. She noted that several
workers return to Nepal in caskets each week, with causes of death often linked to harsh
working and living conditions, mental health struggles, and other preventable factors —
underscoring the need for greater protection and support systems for workers abroad.
On Legal Access and Justice for Migrant Workers — Som Prasad Luitel
Som addressed the systemic legal challenges faced by migrant workers, particularly when
disputes or deportations occur abroad. He explained that once a worker is deported, Nepal’s
legal system has limited ability to intervene, and existing bilateral mechanisms have not
proven fully effective in resolving individual cases. He emphasized the absence of a
comprehensive rehabilitation program for returnee workers and noted that many workers
lack the documentation or evidence needed to pursue justice, often leaving grievances
unresolved.
On Pre-Departure Preparation — Youb Raj Basnet
Youb Raj examined the effectiveness of Nepal’s existing pre-departure orientation process
for outbound workers. He outlined the importance of a complete continuum of support —
covering training, pre-departure orientation on host-country culture and legal systems, and
post-departure assistance — and noted that gaps in this continuum leave workers
vulnerable, particularly those travelling to regions currently affected by instability.
Audience Engagement
The event included an interactive question-and-answer session with the audience, who
raised additional questions on occupational health and safety standards for migrant
workers, as well as government efforts toward reintegration and rehabilitation of returnee
workers. Panelists responded with reflections on existing policy gaps and the need for
stronger institutional support for workers both abroad and upon their return to Nepal.
Remarks by the Korean Ambassador, Park Jaeyong
The Korean Ambassador, Park Jaeyong, delivered special remarks reflecting on Korea’s
own history of labour migration and the evolution of its Employment Permit System (EPS)
for foreign workers. He emphasized the importance of regulated, government-togovernment labour migration frameworks and reaffirmed Korea’s commitment to the
welfare and protection of migrant workers. He commended the documentary for raising
awareness of these issues and encouraged continued dialogue between civil society,
government, and institutions to support sustainable outcomes for migrant workers and
their communities. He also announced an upcoming screening of the film at the Korean
Embassy in September.
Closing
The event concluded with a vote of thanks to Ashok Thapa for his powerful and timely
documentary, The Korean Dream, which brought this important issue to a wider audience.
Appreciation was also extended to all panelists, the Korean Ambassador, and attendees for
their participation and contributions to a meaningful and thought-provoking discussion on
labour migration from Nepal.
Report prepared by Rukesh Paudel and Amesh Pandey, based on event proceedings of
“Movie on the House,” held on 24th July 2026.