Kathmandu, April 8:

The Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE) has begun reform programmes to make the foreign employment sector transparent, accountable and responsible.

DoFE has asked manpower agencies to update companies’ profiles and display these as public information by April 17. The department has also asked for detailed addresses of agencies and their branches.

“Foreign employment agencies must submit photograph of the houses where they are located,”

said a DoFE release.

DoFE is introducing new identity cards for foreign employment agencies from April 19. “Because of growing misuse of identity cards the department will issue new cards,” DoFE stated. A white background identity card will be issued for all registered agencies and a blue colour identity card for employees work in the agencies. DoFE has also urged agencies to display their registration certificates in their offices and to give detailed information to migrant workers. It has made it obligatory for the to publish the conditions in respective fields and procedures of employment.