Kathmandu, 20 March: The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security has decided to resume the re-approval of labor permits for Nepali migrant workers who had returned home on leave from seven Middle Eastern (West Asian) countries. The ministry has decided to renew labor permits for Nepali workers employed in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Oman, Yemen, Jordan, and Turkey.
The ministry made this decision as the impact in West Asia has decreased. Nepali workers who had come home on leave can now return to their respective destination countries. Labor permit renewals had been suspended due to the conflict in West Asia.
However, the ministry has decided to continue the suspension of labor approvals for Nepali workers in Iran, Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, and Lebanon.
According to the ministry’s spokesperson, Pitambar Ghimire, the decision to resume labor approvals applies to workers in lower-risk countries who had returned home on leave and had been working safely in their destination countries. He stated that this decision was made based on the recommendation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the opinion of the Department of Foreign Employment. He also added that decisions regarding new labor approvals will be made gradually depending on the evolving situation.
Around 2,000 jobs affected
Due to the conflict, employment opportunities for Nepalis from Gulf countries as well as Europe have been disrupted. Since the conflict began, no new job opportunities have come from Gulf or European countries, according to foreign employment entrepreneurs. Former President of the Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies, Rohan Gurung, said that except for Malaysia, workers are currently unable to be sent to Gulf countries, Israel, Turkey, or even European countries.
He explained that job offers for Nepali workers must be verified by Nepali embassies in the respective countries, but due to the conflict, embassies in Gulf countries have temporarily halted the verification of demand letters.
Nearly 73,000 registered their details
After tensions escalated in major labor destination countries, Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs began collecting data of Nepalis in those regions through an online portal starting from Falgun 19. So far, nearly 74,000 individuals have registered their details. Among them, about 5,000 had previously reported feeling unsafe.
According to the ministry, after receiving the details, Nepali embassies in those countries have been contacting individuals via phone, email, and other means. While they had initially felt unsafe, the ministry has received updates that they are currently safe.
Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security, Rajendra Bhandari, stated that the government is prepared to rescue Nepali citizens in danger—even by chartering ships if necessary. However, based on current analysis, he believes such a situation is unlikely to arise. He added that, as of now, there is no immediate need to evacuate Nepalis from Gulf countries.
