" Given their contribution, it is only right that the rules on migrants be simplified "
MARCH 15
In a welcome move, procedures are in the process of being amended that will allow Nepali migrant workers to renew their labour permits in the destination countries. Until now, the government has been issuing labour permits that are valid for only two years, which means that they must return to Nepal to renew permit or seek a new one that puts a heavy financial burden on the migrant workers.
The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security is learnt to have sent a proposal to the Prime Minister to amend the existing procedure so that the migrant workers can renew their labour permits for an extended period from the Nepali embassy in the destination countries or Nepali missions close to them.
The ministry is confident that Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal will give his nod to the amendment as he also holds the portfolio of the ministry. The amendment should be a big relief to the migrant workers as many destination countries give visas for more than two years. For instance, South Korea issues visas for five years, hence it is illogical to be issuing labour permits for just two years. Moreover, when the migrant workers fail to return home to renew their labour permits, they are likely to lose their status in the destination countries even if their visa is valid.
The ministry's initiation to change the rules governing demand letters from the recruiting companies abroad would also remove obstacles faced by these agencies. Under the proposed new rules, a foreign company can send the demand letter to a committee of the Department of Foreign Employment, which can attest the document. Until now, the embassies were solely responsible for attesting the documents of the recruiting companies, many of whom fail to do so even for years due to the heavy load of the Nepali missions abroad. The service seekers will now be able to use online services for other related services.
This allows for transparency and should help expand our labour markets in Europe and other developed countries where wages and living conditions are comparatively better than in the Gulf countries and Malaysia – our major destinations.
Nepal's failure to develop both agriculture and industry until now has made it heavily dependent on remittances to meet its colossal imports, which are ten times its total exports.
The share of remittances to the country's GDP has risen from 20.8 per cent in 2021 to 22 per cent last year. Were it not for their contribution, Nepal's economy would have long collapsed, unable to import even the most essential commodities like food and petroleum products. Nepal spent Rs 1.92 trillion on importing goods in 2021- 22 as against its total exports worth a meagre Rs 200 billion. Hence, it is only right that the rules governing our migrant workers be simplified to make them as hassle-free as possible for them. However, as has been said time and again, exporting our youths to bring home remittances should not be the goal of the government. It is high time the money they remit be put to productive use. It is only through the expansion of industry, agriculture and infrastructure that we can generate employment opportunities at home and improve our economy.
A version of this article appears in the print on March 16, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
