KATHMANDU, APRIL 2
Amid ongoing protests by the families of Nepalis enlisted in the Russian Army, demanding immediate release and compensation for casualties, controversy has emerged regarding the government's issuance of work permits for travel to Russia.
With limited opportunities in Nepal, an increasing number of youths are seeking better prospects abroad to support their families.
Speaking to THT, Sushil Ghimire, the second secretary and information officer at the Nepal Embassy in Moscow, said, "We had attested demand for 155 workers to work in Sinopec Russia LLC's petrochemical project in the Amur region of Russia on February 14, 2023, prior to the issue of Nepalis joining the Russia Army. Ever since, we have neither attested any demand letter nor issued a recommendation letter for a No Objection Certificate (NoC)."
Regarding NoC, we have been issuing recommendations to individuals with valid visas, void labor permits, or those residing in Russia for a long period and needing to travel here for business or family reunion, Ghimire added.
According to Kabiraj Upreti, the information officer at the Department of Foreign Employment, no work permits have been granted to Nepalis traveling to Russia unless they possess a recommendation letter from the Nepal Embassy in Moscow.
Upreti mentioned that permits have been renewed for individuals with organizational recommendations authenticated by the Nepal Embassy in Moscow, emphasizing that no permits have been issued due to the government's prohibition on Nepalis traveling to Russia amidst the ongoing conflict.
Prem Prasad Dahal, an information officer at the Department of Immigration, conveyed that a no-objection letter is mandatory for immigration to Russia due to the government's suspension of work permit issuance. However, Dahal clarified that this regulation does not extend to other travel destinations.
National Congress lawmaker Pradeep Paudel opposed the government's decision to issue work permits for Russia during a parliamentary session, stating, "Instead of dissuading youth from going to Russia, the government has facilitated it, urging the resolution of Nepalis' issues there."
With the government's endorsement of work permit approvals, the number of Nepalis migrating to Russia has surged.
In the current fiscal year 2080/81, 53 individuals departed for Russia in Shrawn, 161 in Bhadra, 47 in Asar, 43 in Kartik, and 39 in Mangsir. Until the 18th of Poush, only 2 individuals have obtained approvals according to the government data.
