Government Ends Syndicate in Health Checks for Migrant Workers

Kathmandu. The government has decided to end the 'syndicate' currently in place for health examinations of workers going for foreign employment.

A press release issued by the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security on Tuesday stated that henceforth, workers going for foreign employment will be able to undergo health examinations at health institutions approved by the Government of Nepal or government-owned institutions.

Foreign Employment Act, 2064, Section 72, Subsection (1) stipulates that workers going for foreign employment must undergo a health examination at a health institution approved by the Government of Nepal before leaving the country.

Similarly, Foreign Employment Regulations, 2064, Rule 45A, Subsection (9) states that this regulation shall not be deemed to hinder the Government of Nepal from having the health examination of workers going for foreign employment conducted by health institutions owned by the Government of Nepal.

However, for a long time, a syndicate system operated through a limited number of health institutions established specifically for those going for foreign employment.

With the new government in place, the ministry announced that it is moving forward with the process of allowing more government and approved hospitals to conduct health examinations by ending the syndicate for migrant worker health checks.

The ministry's statement read, 'Now, interested health institutions can be listed upon fulfilling the necessary criteria. New health institutions will also be listed by completing the process according to the procedure related to the listing, renewal, and monitoring of health institutions. This is expected to increase competition and make services easier and more transparent.'

Examinations were previously conducted through a limited number of health institutions for destinations including Malaysia and Gulf countries. The ministry stated that with this government decision, workers going for foreign employment will now receive health examination services that are easier, more affordable, and competitive in price.

The institutions were charging a fee of 6,600 rupees for the health examination of workers going for foreign employment.

The renewal for health institutions conducting health examinations for workers going for foreign employment has been opened.

As per the decision made at the ministerial level, health institutions approved by the Government of Nepal or owned by the Government of Nepal wishing to conduct health examinations for workers going for foreign employment are starting the process to be listed for conducting these examinations.

Joint Secretary and Spokesperson Pitambar Ghimire informed that the decision was made to move forward with the necessary process for this listing in accordance with the provision of Section 3 of the Health Institution Listing, Renewal, and Monitoring Procedure, 2072.