Over 52,000 Nepalis leave for foreign jobs despite permit suspension

The government has suspended labour approvals for foreign employment in several countries. The decision comes amid the war involving Israel, the United States and Iran.

Due to the conflict, the government has halted labour approvals, including re-approvals, for 11 countries in the Gulf region and beyond, including Israel and Turkey. Despite the suspension, more than 52,000 Nepalis left for foreign employment in the Nepali month of Falgun (February 13-March 14).

According to data from the Department of Foreign Employment, a total of 52,944 people received labour approvals (including renewals) in Falgun. Of them, 46,452 were men and 6,392 were women.

During the month, 28,383 people obtained labour approval for the first time, while 24,561 received renewed approvals.

It has been 18 days since the war began between Israel, the United States and Iran. Iran has been launching missile and drone attacks on US military bases in the Gulf and other countries, raising concerns over the safety of Nepali workers in countries such as United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain.

The government has suspended labour approvals until further notice for Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq, Yemen, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and Israel. The suspension was decided at the ministerial level on Falgun 17 (March 1).

In Falgun, the highest number of Nepali workers went to Malaysia with 12,601 departures, followed by the UAE with 11,492, Qatar with 6,775 and Saudi Arabia with 6,225.

Workers who had obtained labour approvals until the second week of Falgun were able to travel abroad for employment, which explains the significant number of departures during the month.

Previously, 70,503 Nepalis left for foreign employment in Magh (January-February), 62,559 in Poush (December-January) and 65,705 in Mangsir (November-December).

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