Kathmandu, November 13

The government has started to provide electronic stickers to outbound Nepali migrant workers from today.

The Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE) has prepared such stickers for all forms of work permit that will be issued by the labour offices across the country. It is expected that this move will curb fraudulent activities and prevent innocent migrant workers from being duped.

Bhisma Kumar Bhushal, director general at DoFE, said the move is aimed at preventing middlemen hoodwinking migrant workers and ensuring that they receive genuine work permits.

“The foreign job aspirants will be able to use their e-mail or mobile number to receive the electronic sticker, which will be automatically provided to the migrant workers,” he said, adding that the workers would be able to clear the immigration after presenting the print out of the sticker or showing it on their devices (cellphone, tablet or laptop) to the officials.

As per Bhushal, in the initial phase, the DoFE will provide both printed and e-sticker to the migrants, but latter will soon be made mandatory for foreign job-seekers.

“The main purpose of issuing an electronic sticker is to prevent local and foreign middlemen from issuing fake stickers that often land innocent job-seekers in difficult position,” he added.

The issuance of online sticker, according to Bhushal, is also expected to end the current trend of illegal migration via India.

“Curbing human trafficking has become more complicated and challenging with the advancement of time, as middlemen have been exploiting information technology and other means of communication to find their prey,” he said, adding that the government has to change its tactics in tune with the change in strategy adopted by the traffickers.

As per Bhushal, the traffickers have started to hunt for potential victims who are relatively affluent. This is on top of young women from poor households and job-seekers from deprived communities.

As per DoFE, the online stickers are currently being provided from Kathmandu, Dhangadhi and Surkhet while it will gradually expand the service to all its offices across the country.

Issuance of online stickers for migrant workers and regulating the labour sector were two main promises made by Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security Gokarna Bista when he had assumed office.