KATHMANDU: More than 70,000 Nepalis obtained labour approval to work abroad in the first month of the current fiscal year, despite the government’s stated policy of encouraging Nepalis living overseas to return home.
According to the Department of Foreign Employment, 70,441 people received labour approval in Shrawan, the first month of the fiscal year. The figure is 25,975 higher than the 44,466 approvals issued in the same month last year, representing a significant year-on-year increase in outbound labour migration.
Men accounted for the overwhelming majority of those receiving approval. A total of 60,472 men, or 85.8 percent, obtained labour approval, compared with 9,969 women, or 14.2 percent. Compared with last year, the number of male workers increased by 22,071, while the number of female workers rose by 3,904.
UAE remains top destination
The United Arab Emirates remained the most popular destination for Nepali workers. A total of 18,784 people obtained labour approval for the UAE in Shrawan, up from 17,779 in the same month last year.
Malaysia was the second-largest destination, with 12,498 approvals, followed by Qatar with 10,360, Saudi Arabia with 8,613, Kuwait with 4,567 and Romania with 2,908.
Alongside traditional destinations in the Gulf and Southeast Asia, countries including Japan, Portugal, Cyprus, Turkey and Oman are also becoming increasingly attractive to Nepali workers, particularly because of higher earning opportunities and demand for skilled labour.
Dhanusha sends most workers
Dhanusha recorded the highest number of labour approvals among Nepal’s 77 districts. A total of 3,368 people from the district received approval in Shrawan, compared with 1,992 in the same month last year.
