Nepal Scraps Token System for Overseas Employment Permits, Easing Process for Migrant Workers

Kathmandu. Service seekers have expressed enthusiasm after the government abolished the online token system for obtaining labor permits for workers going for foreign employment. Following the directive of the Minister for Labor, Employment, and Social Security, Deepak Kumar Shah, the department implemented a queue-free system starting Monday. The department stated that the impact was encouraging on the first day.

This move by the department has been taken as a major relief by service seekers who came to obtain labor permits and those who applied online. They welcomed the government's decision.

Arun Kumar, who came to receive services at the department, stated that the government's decision to scrap the token system for obtaining labor permits is a new beginning. He mentioned that under the previous token system, favoritism was shown to acquaintances, and under-the-table dealings occurred, but now that the token is removed, a situation of ease will be created for the general public.

“With the removal of the token system, it has become easier for service seekers. Now, work can even be done from home,” he said.

Devendra Luitel from Morang thanked the government for ending the situation where the labor office previously looked like a den for middlemen. “Looking at the last two-three days, that situation is reducing. It is extremely necessary for government offices to work quickly and transparently,” he said.

Another service seeker, Chudamani Gajmer, also stated that the government's decision is welcome for service seekers. “Getting a labor permit in a single day is welcome. Many workers' visas had arrived, but the flight was being delayed due to not getting the labor permit. Now that problem seems to be resolved,” he said. He urged the government to quickly open the pending new labor permits for those whose visas are ready.

The department is currently providing services through the online system from seven provincial labor offices and Nepali embassies abroad. The department plans to continue the service by mobilizing staff from other branches if there is a shortage of employees.

This reform is expected to make the process of foreign employment more dignified, transparent, and hassle-free. Director General Meera Acharya informed that 3,197 people received labor permits on the first day of implementation.
 
According to her, previously, due to the daily limit (quota) set at 3,500, workers were forced to wait for weeks to get a token. But now that the government has removed the token system, her view is that the system will be streamlined and made faceless.

Director General Acharya said, “Our labor permit issuance system has been 100% faceless since 2017. However, we felt that the online token system was causing delays or disruptions in service somewhere. That's why, after consulting with the IT team, we have made it token-free and queue-free.”

She stated that 3,197 people received labor permits on Monday alone. She mentioned that if all the documents specified by the law are complete, it will not take even one day to get a labor permit now, and approval can be obtained within an hour.

“Our FEMIS system can handle 1,600 one-time users logging in at once. This connects workers, department employees, the ministry, embassies abroad, cyber, and more than 1,100 manpower companies,” Acharya said. Despite the fear of the system crashing with so many users, she added that they are preparing for its management.