This short briefing paper forms part of International Alert Nepal’s working paper series ‘Equitable economic recovery for peace’ (see below). It highlights key security concerns for the Nepali private sector and explores the role business can play in contributing to and mitigating insecurity. It identifies entry points from which various stakeholders, including the private sector, government, civil society and the international community, may seek to encourage improved public security in the country.
Equitable economic recovery and improved public security are both key requirements for consolidating peace in Nepal. Economic deprivation of various groups and regions, elite control of productive resources and decades of low development have fed both poverty and multiple conflicts in the country. The private sector is deeply affected by insecurity: increasing criminality, forced donations, strikes, shutdowns and labour unrest stifle production, limit access to raw materials, prevent goods going to market and undermine investor confidence. At the same time, irresponsible and sometimes illicit business practice further fuels this cycle of public insecurity, resulting in yet more economic hardship. Breaking this cycle therefore has to be in the interest of responsible business leaders across Nepal.
This paper presents key security concerns at the district level, as well as business responses, and presents the following recommendations:
To the private sector:
- Move beyond ad hoc “fire fighting” efforts to tackle insecurity and invest time in initiatives that tackle the root causes of insecurity systematically and systemically.
- Demonstrate integrity and commitment to responsible business practices, includingtransparency, to avoid fuelling insecurity.
- Reach out to other stakeholders such as wider civil society, government and security service providers for dialogue, partnership and joint advocacy.
- Strengthen ongoing efforts at social dialogue at the national level between employers and employees, with similar efforts at the level of individual enterprises.
To the government of Nepal:
- Reach out to and engage business when undertaking public security policy reviews and reforms.
- Convene multi-stakeholder dialogue forums at the local level, including with the private sector and civil society, to discuss local security needs and the potential for implementing joint solutions.
- Initiate efforts to improve the integrity and accountability of public tendering processes, so as to reduce corruption and interference.
To the political parties:
- Recognise the long-term detrimental effect of political interference in the security sector on public security and economic development, and take steps to address it.
- Publicly recognise and communicate the importance of economic growth for sustainable peace and the impact of insecurity on the economy to youth wings and sister organisations.
- Consider cross-party dialogue on how political participation and activism (e.g. strikes) can be ensured without impacting negatively on economic activity.
To the international community in Nepal:
- Support the private sector and civil society to jointly identify and prioritise key public security problems, and develop capacity to advocate for solutions to these problems at both local and national levels.
- Involve and seek input from the private sector as well as civil society when designing and implementing programmes that seek to address public security concerns.
- Support the private sector, trade unions and civil society to develop skills and implement initiatives that seek to improve business practices and workplace cooperation, such as dispute resolution and mediation skills, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
