Foreign Employment in Nepal

Foreign employment is the employment of a worker outside the country. It is also called labour migration. Due to lack of adequate employment opportunity in their countries, many youths of developing countries migrate to other countries seeking employment. In Nepal, the history of foreign employment began after the signing of the Sugauli Treaty with the provision of recruiting Nepali youths in British Army. But, the trend of going for foreign employment increased only after the restoration of democracy. The out-flow of Nepali workers has alarmingly increased after the people’s Movement –II (2062\63). According to the latest government data, about 1,500 Nepali youths leave for foreign employment every day. The major destination countries of these workers are Malaysia, Quatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Japan, Kuwait, Korea etc.

Nepali migrant workers earn money and send to their families in Nepal. The sum of money transferred by the migrant workers from foreign country is called remittance. In Nepal, remittance has contributed greatly to improve the living condition, education and health of more than 50% households in the rural areas. Because of remittance, there is a great attraction of people in foreign employment. However, there are both opportunities and challenges in foreign employment.

Read the following statements of the returned migrant workers and news related migrant workers to know the opportunities and negative aspects of foreign employment.

My name is Lalit khawas. I am working as a security guard in UAE. I am satisfied with the salary. I get US$. 525 per month for 8 hour duty per day. I send about 50 thousand rupees per month to my family.

……….. Five Nepali workers ran away from their company and reached the Embassy in Quatar seeking help. They complained that they were not paid salary as agreed. they were duped either by agent or company. They had duplicate contract paper. The Kathmandu Post 30 Jan, 2011

………….. Nearly 150 Nepalese workers have been arrested in Malaysia since the authority launched restriction on foreigners working without work permit …… ekautipur.com 6 July. 2017

Pramila Dangol left her family to work in Kuwait. She had promised to send money every few month. But, the money came only once, and then came her body frozen for 3 months in a morgue, she had died while at work. The official cause of death was insufficient oxygen at the work place …. The Washington Post. 6 Jan, 2014.

My name is Arun khand. I passed the EPS exam and went to S. Korea for work. I worked there in an agriculture farm for six years and returned. With the money I had earned in Korea, I have started seasonal vegetable farming in my village at Waling which gives more income than my earning in Korea.

Positive Effects of Foreign Employment

Nepal obtains remittance from foreign employment and it has been one of the important sources of earning foreign currency.
The unemployed people have got employment opportunity and has solved the problem of unemployment in the country.
People can learn art and skill in foreign employment which can be used for national development.
Foreign employment has improved the living standard of people.
People have got opportunity to observe development in foreign country and learn language and culture.
It has improved the international relation of Nepal.
Many people who have returned from foreign employment have started different business and have created employment within the country.

Negative effects of foreign employment

The following are the negative effects of foreign employment.

Because of brain-drain, the country is lacking skilled human resources for the utilization of the resources available in the country.
Nepalese people are compelled to work in humiliating condition in other countries.
People have been doing dirty, dangerous and difficult works with low salary.
The resources of the country are not utilized due to lack of manpower.
National economy has become dependent.
The feeling of patriotism and nationality has been decreasing.

Preparation for Foreign Employment

There are many challenges in foreign employment. The workers may be cheated by the employer company abroad and even the manpower companies during the process of obtaining visa. Thus, one who wishes to go for foreign employment should be well informed about the process, work, facilities, etc. For this, he/she can contact to the Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment, Foreign Employment Promotion Board, Foreign Employment Department and so on. One should not go for foreign employment without complete mental preparation. If people go to foreign employment by learning some skills, there is more chance of getting easy job with high salary. Passport is needed for going to abroad for employment. To obtain passport one should apply in the District Administration Office with citizenship certificate. Those who want to go for foreign employment should take all educational certificate, certificate of training and driving license. It is good to visit manpower companies directly without depending on agents and should ask all the terms and conditions of employment clearly.

The person who goes for foreign employment should check up health condition from the health institutions recognised by the Government of Nepal. The Government of Nepal has made compulsory provision of insurance to the people going for foreign employment. It is also necessary to attend orientation training compulsorily. Such training makes the individual aware about the required documents, departure process, and rules and regulations. It is a must to register in the Foreign Employment Department before the departure.

At present, 108 countries are opened for Nepalese people for employment. The minimum age to go for foreign employment is 18 years for males and 24 years for females. If all the things mentioned above are clearly followed, there is less chance of being cheated and facing difficulty. In case of any problem, the migrant workers should contact Nepalese Embassy or consular office remaining in the respective country.