Kathmandu, 9 Feb: Despite the government introducing a provision to reissue labor permits to Nepali workers who have legally worked in Iraq and obtained a “valid residency card,” uncertainty remains regarding domestic workers.
A Cabinet meeting had decided to allow the reissuance of labor permits to workers who have worked in Iraq for a long time and obtained a “valid residency card” if they wish to return for employment. Based on this decision, the Department of Foreign Employment has started issuing labor permits to general workers.
However, the Department appears uncertain in cases of domestic workers who had worked in Iraq, obtained the residency card, returned to Nepal, and are now seeking labor approval. Following the Cabinet decision, the Department had stated that Nepali citizens who went to Iraq for foreign employment and obtained a “valid residency card” would be granted labor permits when they return to Nepal.
Department Director General Mira Acharya stated that there is no problem issuing labor permits to those who worked as general workers in Iraq, but there is confusion about whether labor permits should be issued to domestic workers. She explained that it would have been easier if the earlier decision had clearly specified this, but since it did not, difficulties have arisen during implementation.
Pitambar Ghimire, spokesperson for the Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security, argued that the government’s decision should not prevent issuing labor permits to any category of workers who have worked in Iraq and obtained a “valid residency card.” He said the decision was not intended for new workers going to Iraq but for those who had already been working under an established process, and therefore there should be no obstacles. Ghimire, who also serves as head of the Ministry’s Foreign Employment Division, said that if there is any confusion, it can be resolved through discussion.
The current problem related to Iraq appears to have arisen due to policy ambiguity, which has been acknowledged by officials from both the Ministry and the Department.
Based on the decision, applicants seeking labor permits must submit a passport valid for at least three months, an official visa, and other required documents. According to the Department, applicants must also submit proof through the Foreign Employment Management System (FEMS) of term life insurance, contributions to the Social Security Fund and the Welfare Fund, an employment contract, and arrival and departure stamps placed on the passport by Iraqi immigration authorities. In addition, proof of orientation training and medical examination is required, and the applicant must personally appear at the Department for identification with original passport, visa, and contract agreement.
However, workers complain that even after submitting all required documents and visiting the Department, labor permits are still being denied. Workers allege that the Department is discriminating by failing to issue labor permits to all long-term workers in Iraq and say they are being forced to visit the Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security on a daily basis.
It is estimated that around 30,000 to 35,000 Nepali workers are currently employed in Iraq, of whom approximately 80 percent are working as domestic workers. Although the number of women is higher among domestic workers, men reportedly make up nearly one-third of the total.
