KATHMANDU: More than 130,483 Nepalis have departed for foreign employment during the first two months of the current fiscal year 2083/84. According to the Department of Foreign Employment, this figure represents individuals who obtained final labor permits during the months of Shrawan and Bhadra.
While 70,441 labor permits were issued in Shrawan, the number declined to 60,042 in Bhadra. The data for Bhadra shows that 51,843 men and 8,199 women obtained permits. Of these, 35,627 were first-time applicants, while 24,415 were returning workers renewing their permits.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) remained the top destination for Nepali workers in Bhadra, with 18,477 individuals receiving permits. Other primary destinations included Qatar with 10,471, Malaysia with 8,091, Saudi Arabia with 6,787, and Kuwait with 3,898 permits.
Regional data indicates that the highest number of workers migrated from provinces in Madhesh and Koshi. Dhanusha district recorded the highest number of departures at 3,016. Other districts with significant numbers included Jhapa at 2,716, Morang at 2,690, Siraha at 2,349, Mahottari at 2,281, Sunsari at 2,226, and Rupandehi at 2,010. Conversely, the number of workers from Himalayan districts remained minimal, with only 13 from Manang, 23 from Mustang, and 37 from Humla.
The department noted that skilled workers accounted for more than half of those who obtained permits in Bhadra, totaling 34,167 individuals, or 56.9 percent of the total. The remaining group consisted of 16,058 unskilled workers, 9,466 semi-skilled workers, 271 professional workers, and 80 highly skilled individuals.
