KATHMANDU: Bahrain has replaced Israel as the fifth most popular destination for Nepali blue-collar workers, allowing 296 Nepali migrant workers.

Data from the Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE) shows that in the month of Chaitra (mid-March to mid-April), 296 Nepali migrant workers left for Bahrain whereas only 141 left for Isreal.

This is the first time Bahrain has made its way into the top five list of major lucrative destinations. Qatar lured 5,723 Nepalis and became the first destination as usual. Saudi Arabia came second with 4,567 Nepalis going there in search of greener pastures. The UAE was the third most favoured destination with 1,710 and Malaysia claimed the fourth position with 1,674 in the first nine months of this fiscal year.

Contrary to popular belief, demand for Nepali workers in destination countries has seen a progressive trend in Chaitra (mid-March to mid-April). According to the department, a total of 14,429 Nepalis left for 13 different countries during the period — 686 more than the number a month earlier. Around 13,743 people left for foreign employment in Falgun (mid-February to mid-March).

“It is due to our continuous efforts,” said Mohan Krishna Sapkota, director general of DoFE adding that his department was serious about mitigating the impact of global recession and labour layoffs.

The Ministry of Labour and Transport Management (MoLTM) and the Ministry of Foreign Affair (MoFA) jointly mobilised diplomatic missions in the destination countries to reduce the number of laid off Nepali migrant workers.

However, the month witnessed a dramatic decrease in the demand for female workers. The number of female migrant workers going abroad decreased to 118 that is more than half in comparison to a month earlier. In Falgun (mid-February to mid-March), 268 female workers had left for jobs abroad.

In Chaitra, Israel alone had hired 111 Nepali women as care-givers while Malaysia, Qatar and Hong Kong hired 4, 2 and one Nepali female migrant workers respectively.

Nearly 14,528 Nepalis — 14,397 male and 131 female — got prior permission. Likewise, 3,662 migrant workers left Nepal through individual contacts.