Significant Surge in Nepali Workers Seeking Foreign Employment in Chaitra

Kathmandu. There has been a significant increase in the number of individuals obtaining labor permits for foreign employment. According to the Department of Foreign Employment, the number of people obtaining labor permits in the month of Chaitra has increased by nearly 9,000 compared to the previous month of Falgun.

While 52,944 people obtained labor permits in Falgun, that number rose by 8,875 by the end of Chaitra, reaching a total of 61,819 individuals. 

According to the department, 55,712 men and 6,107 women received labor permits in Chaitra. This figure includes those renewing their labor permits. The number of individuals obtaining new labor permits is 20,545, which includes 17,670 men and 2,875 women.

Thus, nearly 62,000 Nepalis went abroad in search of employment in the month of Chaitra alone. The current government's main priority is to create jobs within the country to reduce reliance on foreign employment. However, in the first month of the government's tenure, over half a million Nepalis have already gone abroad in search of work. 

Many Nepalis continue to head to Malaysia, Europe, and Gulf nations. According to the data, the highest number of Nepalis, 18,649, went to Malaysia in Chaitra. 

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) followed with 11,463, Qatar with 8,959, and Saudi Arabia with 8,920. Recently, there has also been an increase in the appeal of European nations to Nepalis. While 4,438 people obtained labor permits for Romania, 1,626 obtained them for Japan, and 1,039 for Cyprus.

According to the department's data, the number of workers returning to the same country after a break is higher than those going for the first time. In Chaitra, 41,274 people obtained renewed labor permits. 

Similarly, 11,558 people went through manpower companies (institutional), while the number of those obtaining new labor permits individually was 8,652. Through government-to-government (G2G) agreements (specifically South Korea), 335 Nepalis went abroad. 

Madhesh Province leads in foreign migration 

According to the department's data, when viewed by district, districts in Madhesh Province are at the forefront of those going for foreign employment. In Chaitra, the highest number of 3,829 people obtained labor permits from Dhanusha district. 

Similarly, 2,698 from Siraha, 2,622 from Mahottari, 2,533 from Jhapa, and 2,212 from Morang have gone abroad. 

How much skilled manpower?

Most Nepalis going for foreign employment are registered as skilled workers. According to the data, 42,021 have gone abroad as skilled workers. 

Likewise, the number of unskilled workers is 13,366. The department stated that there are 6,109 semi-skilled, 253 professional, and only 70 highly skilled workers.