Pandemic-battered foreign recruitment industry seeks government supportAn ILO study says Nepal’s foreign employment agencies experienced various obstacles in running their businesses due to the pandemic and have been left to fend for themselves, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 21/06/2021)

Kuwait decision to let in only vaccinated foreigners may affect Nepali workers : Foreigners can visit Kuwait starting August 1, but Nepal’s poor Covid-19 vaccination status means fewer Nepali workers can benefit from the scheme, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 20/06/2021)

People heading back to India for work (kh 19/06/2021)

Half of Nepalis lost jobs in past month : New survey shows most households got little or no support from the government (nt 11/06/2021), Families await support amidst loss of large scale jobs and income sources, survey reveals (kh 12/06/2021)

Predeparture training uncertain even as government starts issuing labour permitsOfficials say they are waiting for the government to lift the Covid-19 restrictions, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 11/06/2021)

Foreign job recruiting agencies renew call for removal of law they deem discriminatory : Provision requiring each agency to send a minimum 100 workers abroad for two consecutive years for licence renewal has become an impossible proposition for a majority of recruiting agencies hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 10/11/2021)

Migrant workers return to India in search of jobs, by Mohan Budhaair (kp 06/06/2021) [A follow-up to the highly successful employment programme of Oli!], Government set to resume issuing labour permits tooutbound workers, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 06/06/2021)

Nepal’s Failed Governance and Unemployment Problem : The government is least concerned about the chaos in the country created by the unemployment problem. Instead, the Oli government’s every move shows that Oli is only worried about saving his chair, by Prakash Pokhrel (rep 02/06/2021)

In a pandemic-hit economy, state offers little hope for creating jobs : The budget for the upcoming fiscal year aims to create around 350,000 new jobs whereas  500,000 youths enter the labour market every year, by the government’s own estimates, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 31/05/2021)

Migrant Workers’ Contribution vs. Government Behavior, by Nitish Lal Shrestha (kh 29/05/2021)

Government panel to collect details  of Nepali workers stuck abroad : There is no immediate plan to evacuate the stranded workers, officials say, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 26/05/2021), “Immediate rescue plan needed for Nepalis stuck abroad” (rep 26/05/2021) [As in 2020, the oh-so-competent Oli government refuses to honour its responsibilities!]

Migrant workers, families receiving compensation directly in their bank accountsThe new compensation payment arrangement has been a huge relief for the recipients, especially during the ongoing pandemic when travelling is difficult, by Chanfdan Kumar Mandal (kp 25/05/2021)

Around 25,000 outbound Nepali youths stuck due to flight suspension : Recruitment agencies call for allowing few weekly flights to labour destination countries, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 24/05/2021)

Kuwait allows flights to Nepal but restrictions at home leave migrant workers exasperated : With international flights suspended, many migrant workers are unable to travel back home, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 22/05/2021)

Pandemic leaves migrant workers with worries piling up and savings depleting : With international flights suspended, many cannot return home–and they don’t have jobs as their contact is over, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 20/05/2021)

Pandemic pushing more families into  poverty as unemployment soars : People have been deprived of their basic right to health, education and livelihood, rights activists say, by Binod Ghimire and Anup Ojha (kp 20/05/2021)

Flight restrictions at home may prevent workers from visiting Saudi Arabia, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 18/05/2021)

More than 600,000 people forced to seek jobs abroad each year, by Tulsi Subedi (ae 13/05/2021)

Guidelines ready for sending Nepali carers to Israel : Nepal and Israel had signed a deal in September last year for sending 500 Nepali caregivers, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 12/05/2021) [Israel is definitely not a safe haven for migrant workers at the moment!]

Malaysia announces travel ban on Nepalis over rising cases of coronavirus infection : Citizens of Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan will be barred entry. Nepali recruiting agencies fear other countries may follow suit, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 07/05/2021)

Covid-19 restrictions once again cast uncertainty over labour migration : After a disastrous 2020 when labour migration dropped to a new low, the foreign employment sector has once again started to feel the heat amid surge in coronavirus cases, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 04/05/2021)

Ensuring Occupational Safety During COVID-19 Pandemic, by Shankar Man Singh (rn 01/05/2021)

Lack of proper data on accidents and hazards at workplace puts Nepali workers off framework of occupational safety and health standards: ILO (rep 30/04/2021)

Thousands of Nepali migrant workers from Sudur Pashchim Province return home as India is hit by the worst wave of COVID-19 (rep 30/04/2021)

Several bodies of Nepali migrant workers stuck abroad, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (21/04/2021)

Government has failed on employment front (ht 14/04/2021)

NC lawmaker Thapa lambasts govt indifference towards unemployment issues (kh 12/04/2021)

Nepali migrant workers find themselves entangled in Poland’s red tape : The country needs hands but Nepali workers are exploited on the way. A formal  deal between the two countries would help, officials and experts say, by Ula Idzikowska, Abhaya Raj Joshi and Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 10/04/2021)

Oman amnesty offers undocumented Nepalis chance to return home : The amnesty programme, which was introduced in October last year, has been extended till June 30, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 07/04/2021)

Workers with conflicting biometric details to be barred from flying abroad : The move comes as many pre-departure training centres were found not orienting the workers to their job needs, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 03/04/2021)

Delayed dreams for Korea-bound Nepalis : Nepali migrant workers have been waiting for more than a year to join jobs in Korea, by Upasana Khadka (nt 02/04/2021)

Provisions for creating employment for indigent women (kp 01/04/2021)

Pre-departure orientation centres are not training migrant workers, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 29/03/2021)

Investing in youth : Big employment generating programs must be carefully evaluated while small innovative pilots should be supported, by Simone Galimberti (rep 28/03/2021)

Nepali workers can return for second stint in Korea (rep 28/03/2021)

Sudurpaschim folks returning home in droves as COVID cases surge in India (ht 27/03/2021), Migrant workers start returning home as India reports rise in Covid-19 cases : As least 34 people entering Nepal from Gauriphanta  border tested positive for Covid-19 in the past five days, by Arjun Shah (kp 28/03/2021)

Saudi Arabia to assess skills of migrant workers : Nepali workers can acquire skills and also demand better pay under the provision, labour migration experts say, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 22/03/2021)

Death without dignity : The government must arrange for the return of the remains of deceased migrant workers, by Anurag Devkota (kp 16/03/2021)

Endless wait for Korea jobs frustrates youths as they question Nepal’s commitment : Thousands of Nepalis who have passed the tests and got jobs blame government inaction while experts say it could be proactive rather than wait to hear from the Koreans, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 13/03/2021)

Recruiting agencies irked by  ‘government intention’ to send  workers to Qatar on its own : The agencies say the labour minister’s recent remark that Nepali security guards could  be sent to Qatar under a government-to-government deal threatens their business, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 12/03/2021)

Demands for thousands of Nepali workers start pouring in from Saudi Arabia : Recruiting agencies fear the sluggish process of demand attestation process and other obstacles might lead to job loss for potential Nepali migrant workers, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 09/03/2021)

Qatari employers to pay service fees to Nepali recruiting agencies : From next month, the Nepali mission in Doha will not verify workers’ demand if Qatari employers do not agree to pay them, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 28/02/2021)

Think beyond short-term for migrant workers : Instead of providing short term aids to returnee migrants, should not Nepal create opportunities for them here in the country so that they do not have to rely on low paying jobs in foreign lands?, by Bipana Thapa (rep 22/02/2021)

School programme helps students generate income : Students can take interest-free loans to start farming, by Chandani Kathayat (kp 21/02/2021)

Recruiting firms and foreign employment regulators resolve conflicting issues : Recruiting agencies can set up a branch office in each of the seven provinces, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 19/02/2021)

COVID-19 pandemic has failed to stop youths from going abroad for work in Karnali Province (rep 18/02/2021)

Tansen Municipality supports youth entrepreneurs with cash and training : The municipality has pledged to invest more than Rs60 million in the Youth Self-Employment Programme, by Madhav Aryal (kp 18/02/2021)

700,000 apply for prime minister job scheme that aims to employ 200,000 this fiscal year : The past record of the temporary employment programme has shown that it has not met its target, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 15/02/2021), Create more jobs : The scheme of a minimum of 100 days of work is, at its best, a complementary project (kp 16/02/2021) [Another failure of the Oli government!]

Private security companies take a hit as pandemic impacts their clients’ businesses : Hotels, banks and other financial institutions have cut down outsourced security service, according to industry insiders, by Krishana Prasain (kp 15/02/2021)

Factories in Bhairahawa switch to hiring women as high male employee turnover bites productivity : With Nepali men going to work overseas, Indian workers take a big share of labour market. As women workers are more sincere, there are signs that may change in the near future, by Madhav Dhungana (kp 14/02/2021)

Workers preparing to go abroad to get updated training from this week, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 07/02/2021)

Labour migration to South Korea remains suspended for one year : Thousands of Nepalis selected for Korean jobs have been unable to go work due to Covid-19-related restrictions, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 07/02/2021)

Indian scammers targeting Nepalis for overseas work raises concerns : The foreign employment sector, already embroiled in malpractices and exploitation, faces yet another challenge as officials fear foreigners are scamming job seekers, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 04/02/2021)

Nepali mission resumes verifying workers’ demand for Saudi jobs, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 01/02/2021)

Foreign employment officials, recruiting agencies in confrontation mode : Recruiting agencies have been dissatisfied over the recent spate of action taken against them by the Department of Foreign Employment. But officials say the agencies are merely venting their frustration, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 30/01/2021)

Home they came back in coffins : Why have so many people chosen to go to the foreign countries to work despite a risk of death? Why do we produce workers and not entrepreneurs?, by Niraj Shrestha (rep 29/01/2021)

For a few dollars more : We must begin to ask ourselves if the foreign labour market is worth dying for (kp 26/01/2021)

Nepalis being sent to Qatar for security jobs via illegal routes, officials suspect : The circulation of an electronic copy of a ‘Police Army Staff’ visa issued in the name of a Nepali national even without proper permits from the government raises concerns, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 25/01/2021)

Cracks in the job programme : The Office of the Auditor General called the scheme ‘unproductive’ in its 57th annual report, by Navneet Jha (kp 25/01/2021)

Around 15,000 Nepalis received permits for foreign employment in one month (rep 24/01/2021)

Nepali women migrants repatriated from Beirut : Migrant workers, mostly women, have been hit hard in the West Asian country reeling under multiple crises, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 23/01/2021), Is foreign employment a choice or a compulsion? Labor migration is not safe for innocent Nepali migrant workers. The government should ensure that every single Nepali worker in foreign land is paid decent salary and treated with dignity, by Bipana Thapa (rep 23/01/2021)

Having returned empty-handed, workers seek compensation for losses : A large number of migrant workers have returned home with hefty loans after losing their overseas jobs. Migrant rights activists say they should receive compensation for their ordeal, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 20/01/2021), Relief for the returnees : There should be no delay in the disbursement of financial relief to migrant workers (kp 21/01/2021))

Thousands of home workers remain invisible and face  uncertain future : Millions of home-based workers are facing poor working conditions, which was worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic, an ILO study finds, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp18/01/2021)

A few good agents : Recognising good examples among migrant worker recruiters is as important as holding the bad ones accountable, by Upasana Khadka (nt 15/01/2021)

Recruiting agency found sending workers even without valid demand : Matter comes to the fore after an agency denied  prospective workers a discount of Rs1,000, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 10/01/2021)

Foreign Employment Department tells recruiting agencies not to hold passports : In a new circular, the department asks prospective workers not to submit their passports to agencies until their jobs are finalised and pay recruiters only through their bank accounts, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 08/01/2021)

COVID pandemic worsens citizens’ right to employment (ht 07/01/2021)

Govt looks for signing labor agreements with five more countries (rep 05/01/2021) [It would be more important to promote jobs inside Nepal!]

Proposed amendment on visit visa law is deeply flawed, by Karan Kunwar and Indu Dhungana (rep 03/01/2021)

Online renewal of labour permits starts (ht 02/01/2021)

Pandemic devastates the employment sector—both domestic and foreign : Covid-19 taught Nepalis a painful lesson that over reliance on foreign jobs is dangerous for the households and  national economy, but policy makers have failed to employ returning workers, forcing them to go back again, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 31/12/2020)

Foreign Employment Still In Limbo As Verification Of Demand Letter Is Halted, by Mukunda Gaire (rn 29/12/2020)

With Gulf countries banning commercial flights, labour migration sector stares at uncertaintyThe emergence of a new strain of coronavirus has forced many countries to once again close their borders, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 27/12/2020)

Nepalis are leaving for India to work—in droves : Most migrant workers returning to India fear political instability in Nepal may lead to an unstable economy, pushing them to the brink of poverty, by Mohan Budhaair (kp 25/12/2020)

Third party involvement in Japan job programme contradicts agreement : The agreement was under a government-to-government modality and promised free jobs to Nepali workers, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 21/12/2020)

Workers can now renew their labour permits in destination countries : New provision is expected to provide respite to thousands who had to return to Nepal for their re-entry permits, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 20/12/2020) [The pandemic is still a reality in all destination countries!]

Call to protect rights of migrant workers, their families (ht 20/12/2020)

Workers still pay hefty sums for jobs abroad : Even years after ‘free visa and free ticket’ policy was  rolled out, most workers haven’t benefited from it, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 19/12/2020)

Returnee migrants prioritise tourism and agriculture (ht 19/12/2020)

Nepali migration in the 2020s : Amidst a global pandemic, the 2oth International Migrants Day is a time to plan well for the coming decade, by Upasana Khadka (nt 18/12/2020), The Year of Migrant Workers: Paying lip service to ‘national heroes’ on Friday's International Migrants Day is not enough (nt 18/12/2020)

Online labour permit renewal on cards (ht 17/12/2020)

Ensuring employment for persons with disabilities : Only positive discrimination can help persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups to access the job market, by Krishna Gahatraj and Simone Galimberti (rep 16/12/2020)

The unemployed and small business owners turn to ride-sharing apps to pay their bills : Many who have lost jobs or are incurring losses have joined the gig economy to earn a living, with a majority of them opting to work as riders on ride-sharing platforms, by Tsering Ngodup Lama (kp 15/12/2020)

Authorities consider change in rules to check people leaving on visit visas to work, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 10/12/2020)

Lumbini starts entrepreneur development programme  for unemployed people : Beneficiaries will receive easy loans and grants to start their own businesses, by Amrita Anmol (kp 10/12/2020)

All of Prime Minister job funds to go to wages : In the third year of its implementation, the programme has so far been a let-down as it fails to achieve its target, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 07/12/2020)

Workers going abroad on visit visa complain of being duped, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 05/12/2020)

Europe now favoured destination for Nepalis . Despite pandemic, workers lured by better earnings, benefits and chance at citizenship, by Upasana Khadka (nt 04/12/2020)

Agencies involved in conducting interviews for Qatar police jobs suspended, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 01/12/2020)

Foreign employment office limits per day quota of labour permits to 300 : The token system would be strictly implemented to serve migrant workers and minimise mismanagement, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 30/11/2020)

Nepalis going abroad on visit visa in droves worries officials : Authorities fear that those leaving on visit visa could be going abroad for work by dodging official procedures, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 29/11/2020)

The road to Romania is bumpy and once there, workers are exploited too : Asians fill labour gap as Romanians head westward. Nepalis dreaming of working in Europe are ready to pay commissions although Romanian companies pay agents as well as airfare, by Abhaya Raj Joshi, Chandan Kumar Mandal and Marine Leduc (kp 29/11/2020)

Recruiting agencies suspect foul play in Qatar hirings : Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies says a few agencies have formed a syndicate to exclusively send workers to the Gulf country, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 26/11/2020), Raids of four manpower agencies expose ‘syndicate’ to supply workers to Qatar (rep 27/11/2020)

Despite COVID-19 fears, thousands of Nepalis leave for India to earn bread and butter, by Dil Bahadur Chhatyal (rep 23/11/2020)

KMC invites jobless daily wagers to participate in ‘Cash for Work’ scheme (ht 22/11/2020)

569 local governments receive Rs6.89 billion for jobs programme, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 19/11/2020)

पूरक बजेट : एक अनिवार्य विकल्प : प्रादेशिक एवम् स्थानीय सरकार र उद्योग वाणिज्य क्षेत्रका समानान्तर संरचनाहरूलाई रोजगारीका अवसरहरूको पहिचान र सिर्जना गर्न संघीय सरकारले स्रोत र वातावरण प्रदान गर्नुपर्छ [Supplementary budget: a mandatory option : The federal government should provide resources and environment to the provincial and local governments and the parallel structures of industry and commerce to identify and create employment opportunities, by Achyut Wagle (ka 18/11/2020)

Nepali missions abroad yet to verify demand for workers : Without the verification, recruiting agencies say thousands of workers have not been able to go despite the  Cabinet decision to resume labour migration in August, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 06/11/2020)

Make youths skilled : The three tiers of the government need to work in tandem to find other ways out to provide the needed skill to the returnee migrants (ht 03/11/2020)

Few migrant workers seek refund for their repatriation cost from government : The government directive made it possible for returnee workers to claim refund for flight tickets, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 02/11/2020)

Engaging returnee migrants in country a pressing issue (ht 02/11/2020))

Large number of people from Sudurpaschim Province are leaving for India for jobs after Dashain festival, by Mohan Budhaair (kp 30/10/2020)

Even amid pandemic, Nepali migrant workers continue to seek jobs abroad :  Nepali migrant workers see ray of hope in labour destination countries that are re-opening their economies as they fail to find jobs at home, foreign employment experts say, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 20/10/2020)

Returnee women migrant labourers stare at bleak future, survey finds : While some of them want to go abroad for work again due to lack of opportunities in the country, others want government help to stay in the country to start their own business., by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 18/10/2020)

No takers for government’s migrant repatriation plan, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 15/10/2020)

Over 560,000 Nepalis lost jobs since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic: Govt (rep 12/10/2020)

Health facilities certifying migrant workers’ fitness decry scrapping of licence : The agencies, which had criticised a hike in guarantee amount, are further hit by the revocation of their licences at a time when their business has remained affected for months, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 11/10/2020) [???]

Government indifferent to plights of Nepali workers in India, experts say : They continue to remain out of foreign labour policies even though Nepalis have been going to work in India for centuries, by Chandra Kumar Mandal (kp 0/10/2020)

Small but improving demand for Nepali workers offers hope for foreign job sector, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 09/10/2020)

Coronavirus infections hit labour migration offices :  From providing compensation to issuing labour permits, works have taken a hit as labour-related offices are dealing with Covid-19 among their staff, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 08/10/2020)

‘Address issues of undocumented workers’ (ht 07/10/2020)

Uncertainty looms over Korea jobs, language tests : Thousands of Nepali workers who were selected for jobs in Korea in 2020 have been unable to take them up, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 03/10/2020)

Nepal and Israel seal deal on labour, agriculture (kh 01/10/2020), Making workers pay for Israel jobs is a step back from zero-cost recruitmentRecent labour policy calls for employers to bear recruitment fees, airfare and related costs, but the latest accord to send 500 nurses to Israel makes Nepalis pay the fees, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 02/10/2020)

Mass migration : The unemployment problem cannot be addressed unless all levels of govt work together to create jobs within the country (ht 29/09/2020)

Bodies of hundreds of migrant workers repatriated after resumption of flights : More than 150 workers were cremated abroad with the consent of their families due to months of repatriation delays caused by flight restrictions amid the Covid-19 pandemic, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 28/09/2020)

22,000 Nepali migrant workers leave for India (ht 28/09/2020) [?????]

Nepal to sign pact with Israel to send caregivers, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 25/09/2020)

Nepali workers and their families to benefit from Malaysian government’s social security scheme : The social security scheme will cover migrant workers in case of work-related injuries, sickness and death, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 24/09/2020)

Parbat sees return of labour force following relaxation in lockdown measuresThe district has made quarantine period mandatory for all migrant workers  returning to the district to keep a check on coronavirus infections, by Agandhar Tiwari (kp 23/09/2020)

Migrant workers would return home with money and gifts. Now it is just themselvesWith contracts terminated and jobs lost due to the pandemic, homecoming for  Nepalis who left the country for work is not a joy amidst an uncertain future, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 20/09/2020)

Employment programmes not stopping Sudurpaschim folk from going to IndiaOver 10,000 Nepalis have already crossed the border at Gauriphanta to reach India since mid-August, by Mohan Budhaair (kp 20/09/2020)

As Malaysia reserves jobs for locals, space for Nepalis reeling under pandemic shrinks more, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 19/09/2020)

Saving jobs during Covid crisis, by Nhasala Joshi and Shweta Acharya (rep 15/09/2020)

Returnee migrants and their management : When they come home, out-migrants can revive rural economic activities that were abandoned in the conflict era, by Kul Kapri (kp 13/09/2020)

Industries and factories begin operations in Province 5 with local labour force : Local workforce is filling the vacuum created by foreign workers who left for their home when the pandemic hit, by Madhav Dhungana (kp 12/09/2020)

Undocumented migrant workers to get support to return home : They had so far been excluded from the government’s  repatriation schemes, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 12/09/2020)

4 million jobs added to Nepal’s economy in past decade, a report says : Despite great strides, not all job seekers have access to quality jobs, especially women (kp 11/09/2020) [This report sounds strange at a time when hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of labour migrants are returning, looking in vain for jobs at home!]

Access to formal jobs more restricted for women (ht 11/09/2020)

Plan to replace foreign workers with Nepalis in various sectors is easier said than done : At a time when many Nepalis have lost jobs, a comprehensive strategy could ensure work for them at home, officials say, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 10/09/2020)

Nepalis in the Middle East fear starvation as government delays repatriation, by Rudra Khadka (rep 10/09/2020)

As migrant workers start returning home, local levels feel the heat to create jobs : Local governments across country prioritise employing returnee migrant workers mainly in agriculture and local development sectors, with some coming up with innovative ideas, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 07/09/2020), Burden of unemployment : We cannot afford off-and-on lockdowns and prohibitory orders that jeopardise the economy (kp 07/09/2020)

Job schemes come into question as virus-induced unemployment hits rural youths hard : Several employment schemes have been rolled out to absorb the labour force at home, but they are  failing to stop youths from migrating, and the trend has started with many leaving for India for work, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 06/09/2020)

Overstay fines become hurdle for Nepali workers waiting to return : Many workers have been charged with hefty fines for overstaying their visas as flights to Nepal were suspended for months due to Covid-19 pandemic, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 05/09/2020), Repatriation quandary persists even with funds to support migrant workers’ airfare : While Nepali embassies in labour destination countries struggle with the complicated verification  process, labour rights activists question the government’s commitment to bring citizens home, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 05/09/2020)

Government partially reopens foreign employment hit by pandemic. by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 01/09/2020)

Migrant Workers In Gulf Being Charged Exorbitant Fares For Air Tickets, by Modnath Dhakal (rn 31/08/2020)

Migrant workers don’t have shelters to go to when they need them the most : A Supreme Court decision in 2010 and existing provisions allow officials to set up safe homes which could have served workers even during the pandemic, say labour rights activists, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 30/08/2020)

Hundreds of migrant workers on their job-break can now return to their jobs : Over 5,600 Nepali migrant workers have received re-entry labour permits to report back to their jobs abroad after the government decided to allow them to migrate, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 29/08/2020)

Recruitment agencies fight among themselves over Japan employmentDispute erupted after some agencies formed a separate body to work on various issues of employment in Japan, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 21/08/2020)

Nepal Tourism Board to begin job retention programme from Kaski district (ht 18/08/2020)

Government plan to repatriate only 500 migrant workers a day comes under fire: There are hundreds of thousands wanting to return home and this number is growing with the expiry of more visas, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 16/08/2020)

Nearly a quarter of Nepal’s workers lose jobs due to coronavirus: Central Bank (ht 14/08/2020)

Jobs of nearly 50,000 workers associated with party venues, catering services at risk (ht 14/08/2020)

Unemployment in Nepal worsens as government fumbles for a response, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae 14/08/2020)

Prime Minister Employment Programme has so far proved to be a let-down for jobless citizens: The much-talked-about programme has yet again failed to provide a minimum 100 days of employment, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 09/08/2020), ‘I and my wife go to bed hungry to keep children fed’: Returning migrants in Sudurpaschim and Karnali face a bleak future. Government is still unclear how to provide help, by Arjun Shah, Basanta Pratap Singh and Chandani Kathayat (kp 09/08/2020)

OVID-19 renders one-fourth private sector workers jobless, NRB survey finds: Businesses expect to return to normality in nine months (rep 09/08/2020)

Government decision to create thousands of temporary positions draws controversy: Experts say the move adds burden to the state coffers, already reeling under the corona pandemic, by Anil Giri (kp 08/08/2020

Time to talk turkey: Address the warnings beforehand to stop an unemployment pandemic (kp 06/08/2020)

Set up a mechanism for ensuring migrant workers wages, labour rights activists say: A large number of workers have returned home unpaid with no guarantee of being paid, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 02/08/2020)

Kuwait lifts Covid-19 travel bans but Nepalis still not allowed: The decision has cast uncertainty on the future of hundreds of Nepalis, including the workers who had returned home during their job break from Kuwait, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 01/08/2020)

Recruiting agencies decry government directive on repatriation of migrant workers: As per new repatriation directive recruiting agencies should ensure that Nepali workers get air tickets, salary and other benefits before they return on tickets bought from Migrant Workers’ Welfare Fund, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 27/07/2020)

Nepal yet to send workers to Japan under new deal: Sixteen months after Nepal and Japan signed a labour deal, details on how Nepali workers are to be selected and recruited still remain sketchy, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 26/07/2020) [On top of this nonsense: How shall they get there?]

Implementation of guidelines to repatriate stranded workers fraught with challenges: Long verification processes might further delay repatriation, fear experts, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 24/07/2020)

‘I’ll have to migrate sooner or later.’ Returnee migrant workers are unaware of government job schemes: Several programmes have been rolled out to help migrant workers, but a study finds the government has failed to communicate these programmes to the beneficiary groups, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 23/07/2020)

Government lifts licence renewal provision for recruiting agencies this year: The one-time relaxation comes in light of the Covid-19 impact on the foreign employment sector, but agencies continue their demand for repealing the provision, by Chandan Kumabr Mandal (kp 21/07/2020)

Migration woes: The government must come up with plans to reintegrate foreign employment returnees and aspirants (kp 21/07/2020)

Covid-19 results in massive decline in labour migration numbers, with no immediate hopes of recovery: The number of labour permits issued to migrant workers has slumped to a new low owing to the pandemic, but available jobs are likely to be even fewer, labour migration experts warn, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 20/07/2020)) [This is just one of several serious problems that the government should take care of day and night. Instead, the incompetent PM Oli and his party colleagues have only their personal power ambitions in the visor! Nepal, quo vadis?]

Local levels to prepare list of unemployed people (ht 20/07/2020)

Over 80 percent Nepali migrant workers want to return home, engage in self-employment (rep 18/07/2020)

Reverse migration puts spotlight on social, economic reintegration of returnees (ht 17/07/2020)

Aspiring workers grow impatient as flights to Korea remain suspended: Years of hard work could go down the drain if the government doesn’t make arrangements for them to leave, they say, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 16/07/2020)

Pandemic has once again thrown light on plights of Nepali women migrant workers: Blanket ban on women from migrating overseas for employment has only encouraged labour trafficking and exploitation, labour migration experts and rights groups say, by Elisha Shrestha (kp 16/07/2020)

Nearly 600 Nepali workers in Malaysia to get refunds for their recruitment fees: Malaysia’s leading gloves maker has agreed to compensate nearly 1,600 of its foreign workers, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 13/07/2020)

Supreme Court asks government why Nepalis working in India are not considered to be in ‘foreign employment’: Petitioners say excluding work in India from the foreign employment category is discriminatory towards Nepali workers, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 13/07/2020)

Help returning workers reintegrate socio-economically, labour migration analysts tell government: A large number of Nepali workers returning from Covid-19 affected countries will need employment opportunities at home after they have lost overseas jobs and there is no immediate hope of going back anytime soon, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 10/07/2020)

DoFE issues nearly 1,500 re-entry permits in one week (ht 09/07/2020)

Failing our migrant workers: One would have expected the present government to be more attuned to the challenges faced by workers in destination countries, by Deepak Thapa (kp 09/07/2020)

Tackling youth unemployment post-pandemic, by Bikas Pant (rep 08/07/2020)

Jobless and without pay, migrant workers are returning home. But they have no recourse for compensation: Labour migrant experts say the concerned Nepali embassies and the government should start recording the details of the returning migrant workers to take the matter to the court, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 04/07/2020)

Government starts issuing labour permits to migrant workers on job break and with renewed contracts: Experts question the government’s decision as the threat of Covid-19 is still not over in labour destination countries, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 03/07/2020))

Returning migrant workers struggle to find job, by Shivaraj Bhatta and Mahadev Awasthi (ae 26/06/2020)

Build safety nets: The government must buttress its support system to help those rendered jobless by the pandemic (kp 22/06/2020)

Out-of-job domestic workers are struggling for survival even as lockdown is relaxed: Up to 85 percent of domestic workers lost their jobs during the lockdown—and now there is no safety net for them, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 21/06/2020)

Post-COVID-19 Employment In Forestry Sector, by Hari Prasad Pandey and Ganesh Paudel (rn 19/06/2020)

Supreme Court orders government to use welfare fund to repatriate Nepali workers stranded abroad: Tens of thousands of Nepalis willing to return home are still stranded for a lack of money to buy air tickets and clarity on repatriation modality, Sangam Prasain & Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 17/06/2020), Nepali embassies’ ill-treatment of workers continues even during pandemic: A video gone viral on social media shows an official at the UAE embassy cold- shoulder a Nepali man in distress, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 17/06/2020)

They can make a difference: Returnee migrants can play a vital role in Nepal’s post-COVID-19 recovery with their skills and capital, by Lorena Lando (rep 16/06/2020)

Foreign employment agencies decry government’s notice calling for licence renewal: Companies engaged in the foreign employment sector have said that they cannot apply for renewal as their business has remained completely shut due to the Covid-19 pandemic, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 15/06/2020)

Government task force says Nepal needs 1.5 million jobs to avoid unemployment crisis: The government has set the target of creating only 700,000 jobs over the next fiscal year, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 10/06/2020) [Job creation has been neglected by all governments for many years. Now these politicians are getting the credit!]

Program for the poor: How welfare-to-work programs can protect the poor and vulnerable during the difficult times, by Tara Kanel (rep 10/06/2020)

Migrant rights groups slam government plan to charge migrant workers for their repatriation: A writ petition has been filed at the Supreme Court demanding free repatriation and medical services for Nepali workers stranded in various labour destination countries, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 05/06/2020)

Government to set up ‘labour bank’ to link employers and workers: A labour ministry task force has recommended that the government establish a mechanism to maintain a real time database on workers and their skills so that employers can hire them when needed, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 02/06/2020)

Government eyes massive 700,000 jobs within the country: Experts say the government plan of creating jobs is neither new nor adequate to deal with the Covid-19 fallout, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 29/05/2020)

Recruiting agencies want their guarantee amount back as their business is affected due to Covid-19: Government could provide some concessions depending on the status of recruiting agencies but also need to make such agencies responsible towards plights of migrant workers, experts say, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 26/05/2020)

PMEP to be promoted as major source of employment next fiscal (ht 26/05/2020)

Deceased migrants are being cremated overseas as lockdowns delay repatriation: Families have been left without option because of the uncertainty caused by the pandemic, officials say, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 24/05/2020))

At least 500,000 migrant workers want to return home at the earliest, says report: Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies says 10-30 percent of jobs held by Nepalis in Malaysia and the Gulf is gone, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 21/05/2020), Government preparing to rescue migrant workers stranded abroad, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 21/05/2020) [The Oli govt talks of 5 per cent only of those who have to return urgently!]

Pandemic threatens to upend labour relations: Workers term employers’ decision to cut staff, wages ‘unilateral’ and ‘unacceptable’, by Sujan Dhungana (ht 21/05/2020)

Task force suggests ways to create 2.5 million jobs amid job losses at home and abroad due to Covid-19: Focus is on entrepreneurship, reviving sick industries and utilising land spaces allocated for the industries, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 20/05/2020) [Such initiative is overdue for decades!]

Returnee Migrant Youths Can Play Productive Role, by Dibyeswar Prasad Shrestha (rn 18/05/2020)

Impact of COVID-19 on Nepal’s Remittance Economy & Foreign Employment, by Sunil Kumar Chaudhary (kh 16/05/2020)

Seed money for migrant workers, entrepreneurs as government targets employment opportunities inside country: Without hassle-free procedures for accessing the initial capital and set criteria as per the vulnerability of migrant workers, the scheme can not yield expected results, experts say, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 16/05/2020)

Returnees in far-west find themselves facing an uncertain future: Most migrants who returned home this year as the Covid-19 crisis began came back empty-handed, by D.R. Pant and Basanta Pratap Singh (kp 12/05/2020)

Motion tabled in Parliament to repatriate Nepali migrant workers: The motion of public importance tabled by Nepali Congress lawmaker Gagan Thapa recommends that the government initiate rescue and repatriation of Nepalis from Covid-19 hit countries based on their status of vulnerability, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 12/05/2020)

Thousands of Nepali migrant workers from Persian Gulf and Malaysia expected to return home soon: A study by the Foreign Employment Board has estimated that at least 127,000 migrants will return home immediately once travel restrictions are lifted, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 09/05/2020)

Create employment opportunities for workers affected due to Covid-19 through new budget, say experts: As workers at home struggle without jobs and tens of thousands of migrant workers are likely to return home, experts suggest the government should be ready to provide jobs through the upcoming budget, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 02/05/2020), On International Labour Day, workers remain under lockdown racked with uncertainty caused by Covid-19 pandemic: Labour right activists say the government has failed to assure worker’ safety and employment even if they have been languishing at home and abroad for a long time now, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 02/05/2020), Budget planning: The government must buck its own trend of non-performance to ensure employment to Nepalis (kp 04/05/2020)

For undocumented Nepali migrants in Turkey, no jobs, no food and no health insurance: Thousands of Nepalis in Turkey are undocumented, which means they have no access to relief or health insurance to get tested for Covid-19, by Elisha Shrestha (kp 01/05/2020)

Give jobs to returnee migrants: House panel (ht 30/04/2020)

Prime Minister’s Employment Programme may not provide expected relief to migrant workers affected by Covid-19, analysts say: The government had pinned its hopes on the scheme to provide jobs to thousands of people, but the programme’s track record gives little to cheer about, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 20/04/2020)

TGAN welcomes decision to provide alternative jobs (ht 26/04/2020)

Govt to set up National Employment Authority (ht 25/04/2020)

Govt to bring self-employment programs worth over Rs 10 bln (kh 25/04/2020)

Preparing for Nepal’s returnees: Planning repatriation of Nepali workers abroad has to go hand in hand with providing for them where they are, by Upasana Khadka (nt 24/02/2020)

With hundreds of thousands of migrants predicted to return home, Nepal needs to brace for a crisis: Hundreds of thousands of Nepalis who work abroad are likely to lose their jobs in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, and they will come home looking for employment, by Prithvi Man Shrestha and Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 22/04/2020) [The leading politicians in government and parties are only interested in power struggles! They do not understand their main tasks in the interest of the state and the people! PM Oli's recent actions are the best example!]

An unequal world for migrant workers: What migrants need most is comprehensive social protection which will strengthen their capacity to cope, by Kripa Basnyat (kp 21/04/2020)

Bodies of dozens of Nepali migrant workers await repatriation as international flights are shut down due to pandemic: Repatriation process of over seventy bodies have been put on hold for weeks now, a Foreign Employment Board official says, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 19/04/2020)

“We don’t want to die in this desert”: Nepali workers in the UAE plead to be brought home: Dozens of Nepalis have already been forced to live on the streets with no shelter and nothing to eat after quitting their jobs, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 16/04/2020)

Government to compensate families of migrant workers who die of Covid-19: The kin of every migrant worker who dies abroad get Rs 700,000, authorities clarify, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 12/04/2020)

Labor migration post-COVID-19: This trying time can be an opportunity for Nepal to convert its remittance based economy into a more sustainable, eco-friendly and home-grown economy, by Prakash Bhattarai and Rajendra Senchurey (rep 12/04/2020)

Insurance Board revises premiums for migrant workers: Migrant workers will have to spend less on premiums and they can pay from abroad through online payment gateways, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 11/04/2020)

Contentious provision of foreign employment law to be amended citing Covid-19 pandemic: After the amendment is passed, recruiting agencies that had to send a minimum of 100 workers abroad in a year, won’t have to do so, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 07/04/2020)

Migrant workers must not be left behind: Migrant workers have contributed to keeping the economy afloat. Now it's time for the government to do its part, by Babu Ram Pant (kp 04/04/2020)

Repatriation of bodies of Nepali migrant workers who died abroad also affected due to Covid-19: Amid international travel restrictions and lockdowns, officials tell Nepali missions abroad to hold applications until further notice, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 29/03/2020)

Kuwait allows migrant workers on leave to file visa renewal application online: Nearly 400 Nepalis on holiday at home wait to return to work, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 27/03/2020)

Nepalis in Qatar live in overcrowded and squalid conditions even during pandemic: In the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak, Qatar imposed a harsh lockdown on camps where migrant workers live in close quarters with inadequate amenities, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 26/03/2020)

No concrete steps yet to help migrant workers (ht 25/03/2020)

Covid-19 pandemic likely to devastate country’s labour sector as ILO projects 25 million job losses globally: While labour migration has come to a complete halt, more job cuts are expected in the domestic labour market as well, labour experts say, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 21/03/2020)

As Malaysia enforces complete lockdown, Nepali workers struggle with reduced working hours: Nearly 500,000 Nepalis have been living in Malaysia, which remains the most affected country in South East Asia from the Covid-19 outbreak, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 19/03/2020)

Demand verification of workers halted: NAC, Himalaya Airlines suspend flights to Kuala Lumpur (ht 18/03/2020)

Nepali missions in Gulf stop approving workers’ documents: Foreign employment department says no such decision has been taken by the government, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 17/03/2020)

Crossborder virus and Nepali migrant workers: The COVID-19 epidemic has hit countries where millions of Nepalis work, by Upasana Khadka (nt 13/03/2020)

Give them work: The unemployment problem is an outcome of the government’s inaction for decades to develop the productive sectors (ht 11/03/2020)

Thousands of Nepali workers affected as Qatar imposes temporary entry ban amidst Covid-19 outbreak: Nearly 40,000 workers with valid work permits are now unable to fly to Qatar, placing them at risk of being blacklisted, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 09/03/2020), Government temporarily halts issuing labour permits to Qatar (ht 11/03/2020)

As Covid-19 spreads to Malaysia and the Persian Gulf countries, uncertainty looms over Nepal’s labour migration: Labour migration to South Korea has been temporarily halted but no decision has yet been made regarding Malaysia and Gulf countries with rising Covid-19 cases, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 07/03/2020)

Hundreds of young, healthy Nepalis die sudden deaths in foreign lands. No one knows what’s killing them: Otherwise healthy men in the prime of life suffering cardiac arrests do not constitute ‘natural deaths’, say rights activists, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 29/02/2020)

New statistics show 1.33 million people ‘unemployed’ in country, by Umesh Poudel (ht 29/02/2020)

Nepali workers won’t be going to South Korea for now: It’s been over a week since a batch of labourers went to the east Asian country, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 27/02/2020)

21 Nepali workers lying in coma abroad (ht 19/02/2020)

Govt provides Rs 2bn for PMEP (ht 17/02/2020)

623 local units get the go-ahead for implementing the Prime Minister Employment Programme: The government has revised guidelines to avoid misuse of state funds and aims to provide 100-days of work for some 60,000 unemployed persons this fiscal year, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 15/02/2020)

Karnali Province to launch Chief Minister’s Employment Programme: The government has allocated Rs 900 million for the programme in the running fiscal year, by Jyoti Katuwal (kp 12/02/2020)

Scrapping of sub-agents from foreign employment leads to drop in fraudulent cases: The Foreign Employment Department has recorded less number of individual cases, but they still continue to operate through indirect channels, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 11/02/2020)

Raw deal for migrant workers: The government must ensure the rights of out-migrants (kp 04/02/2020)

Nepali workers who had returned empty-handed from Qatar three years ago are set to get their due salaries: The workers employed by Mercury MENA, a company building stadium for FIFA 2022 World Cup, were forced to return without their wages after the firm ran into a financial crisis, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 03/02/2020)

Easy loans in Province 2 for labour migrants could encourage youths to leave country, experts say: Workers will get up to Rs150,000 at lower interest rates for funding their departures, but experts fear easily available funds will make migration first choice, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 02/02/2020)

Nepal starts maintaining data on returning migrant workers: The new method of maintaining data is expected to help eliminate foreign employment-related malpractices and assist in the formulation of labour migration- related policies, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 31/01/2020)

Online payment gateways available for migrant workers: The new agreement between the Foreign Employment Department and online payment gateways makes it easier for migrant workers to pay for insurance, welfare fund and also for the re-entry work permits from labour destination countries in the near future, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 27/01/2020)

Prime Minister Employment Program: KMC spent only Rs 2.5m last fiscal year, by Sujita Pradhan (rep 27/01/2020)

Government will provide compensation to 315 families of migrant workers who died in Nepal: The latest changes in law have made it possible for families to avail the compensation, even if migrant workers died in Nepal, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 25/01/2020)

Experts urge priority for safe migration objectives: Nepal is a signatory to the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration for the protection of migrants by formulating required policies, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 24/01/2020)

Frequent server shutdown at DoFE creates hassles for foreign migrants (ht 20/01/2020)

New rules prioritise work for unemployed in construction projects (ht 19/01/2020)

orkers from 87 countries employed in Nepal (ht 18/01/2020)

80% of verdicts in work abroad scams go unimplemented: Complex nexus of manpower agencies and feckless government bodies result in insurmountable suffering for victims, by Bhasha Sharma (rep 05/01/2020)

For Nepali women seeking work in the Gulf, new routes and old risks: Despite restrictions from traveling to the Gulf countries, desperate Nepali women are falling into traps of trafficking agents who are exploiting new routes to take them out of the country, by Parbat Portel (kp 04/01/2020)

Migrant workers can now seek and apply for foreign jobs online: A new module introduced by the government for the selection of migrant workers now allows them to apply for jobs online without having to approach sub-agents or recruitment agencies, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (02/01/2020), New DoFE website makes seeking overseas jobs easier (ht 02/01/2020)

Labour market reforms: Policy and legal measures introduced to improve workers’ conditions at home and abroad have failed to live up to their promise, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 31/12/2019)

Free vocational training for youths: Foreign Employment Board misses training targets, by Sujita Pradhan (rep 30/12/2019)

Government makes operational changes in employment drive to make it more effective: With the available budget of Rs5 billion, the government aims to provide 100 days of work to at least 60,000 citizens this year under the programme which has met with criticism for squandering state funds, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 30/12/2019)

Recruiting agencies charging up to Rs500,000 for security guard jobs once again exposes exploitation of workers: Despite labour pacts with various labour countries for zero cost jobs, not much has changed on the ground, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 26/12/2019)

Insurance firms overcharge migrant workers over premium duration: Poor services, overcharging and limited options show insurance companies discriminate against Nepali migrant workers, the foreign employment department says, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 22/12/2019)

Re-entry work permit from abroad uncertain in ‘lack of insurance’: No respite for migrant workers from visiting Kathmandu to acquire work permit, by Rudra Khadka (rep 22/12/2019)

For Nepal’s migrant workers, good news in small bites: On International Migrants Day, time to reflect on the gains and challenges ahead, by Upasana Khadka (nt 20/12/2019)

Nepali migrant workers continue to remain exploited and ill-informed about their jobs: In a random survey at Kathmandu airport, National Human Rights Commission finds migrant workers are still paying hefty fees for overseas jobs, and remain ill-informed about working conditions, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 19/12/2019)

Migrants’ health: More efforts are needed for effective implementation of evidence-informed interventions to improve the health and well-being of both migrants and communities affected by migration, by Jhabindra Bhandari (rep 18/12/2019)

Scores of Nepali migrant workers go missing every year in foreign lands: Most missing persons are either in jail and cannot contact their families or have chosen to voluntarily break contact after starting new families, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 17/12/2019)

Concerns over high cost of hiring Nepalis could hamper labour migration to Malaysia: With employers exploring more source countries, there could be a drop in migration of Nepali workers to the Southeast Asian nation, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 15/12/2019)

No Nepali job-seeker to go to Japan next year (ht 12/12/2019)

Despite cost-free jobs deal with Malaysia, Nepali migrant workers are still paying hefty fees: Desperate to get jobs, aspirant workers say they are not in a position to complain against recruiting agencies, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 10/12/2019)

Department of Foreign Employment seeks support of other government agencies for overseas job frauds: The department seeks collaboration with Nepal Police and Department of Immigration for controlling malpractices in foreign employment sector., by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 09/12/2019)

A year after Qatar’s offer of zero cost jobs to Nepalis, there is no substantial progress: Despite a series of negotiations and start of Qatari visa centre in Kathmandu, officials say they are yet to hear back from the Arab nation, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 08/12/2019)

Criteria for employment coordinator fixed (ht 08/12/2019)

Low worker demand from Malaysia (rep 04/12/2019)

Government to offer free skill tests for returning migrant workers: The move will help workers who scramble for jobs when they return home, officials say, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 03/12/2019)

Nepal’s labour migration policy: by men, for men: Years of protectionist mindset towards women migrant labourers has only made them more vulnerable to seeking dangerous routes for work abroad, while risking trafficking and exploitation, by Bhrikuti Rai (kp 01/12/2019)

Revision in policy makes it easier for returnee migrant workers to access soft loan: The government has removed the limit of three years after returning from foreign employment and the need to produce a skill certificate, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 29/11/2019)

In defense of Nepali migrant workers: Nepalis are forced to work abroad and the government should do everything to ease their burden (kp 26/11/2019)

Foreign employment department swings into action against fraud cases: The regulator has collected more than Rs 45 million in six months from recruiting agencies to compensate migrant workers, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 25/11/2019)

Airline companies send back migrant workers from airport without any ‘valid reasons’: As incidents of workers being deprived of flying by airline companies become frequent, the foreign employment department writes to Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 24/11/2019)

Govt to conduct skill-based training for migrant workers (ht 24/11/2019)

Rights Of Migrant Workers, by Hira Bahadur Thapa (rn 22/11/2019)

Jordan’s garment sector remains barred for Nepali workers over low wage issue: The government has stopped approving labour demand letters since 2018, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 18/11/2019)

Women go abroad for work and return duped and abused: There is no data on women who go abroad for employment, but the trend is on the rise in Rupandehi, according to an association of women migrants, by Amrita Anmol (kp 17/11/2019)

NHRC international conference concludes (ht 15/11/2019)

Government starts issuing e-stickers to migrant workers (ht 14/11/2019)

Nepal vows to advocate rights of migrant workers at int’l meet (ht 13/11/2019)

Workers fear new rule for Nepali migrants could lead to a loss of jobs: Workers now need to produce evidence of skills and the jobs they are currently doing in order to receive a labour re-entry permit, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 11/11/2019)

Malaysia job aspirants are lining up for pre-departure services without pre-work approval: Only 5,000 preliminary labour permits have been approved but more than 100,000 workers have already paid for medical tests and obtained security clearance, officials say, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 09/11/2019)

Experts question decision to accept Rs13 billion loan for Prime Minister’s Employment Programme: The programme was criticised last year for shoddy implementation and the lack of oversight, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 09/11/2019)

Migrant worker finds farming in Nepal more rewarding: Bishnu Bhujel has returned home to farm and rescue his family from bankruptcy, by Naresh Newar (nt 08/11/2019)

Immigration staffers sending women workers to restricted countries (ht 01/11/2019)

Recruitment agency with scrapped licence found still operating: Department of Foreign Employment intensifies monitoring after an agency was found holding hundreds of passports and money of aspirant migrant workers even after it had been barred from operating, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 25/10/2019)

Foreign Employment Board to impart skill training for free to the unemployed, unskilled and aspirant migrant workers: 19 different skills identified for free skill training, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 17/10/2019)

Nepali migrant workers returning home from labour destination countries without wages: Sluggish investigation by the government agencies is derailing their access to justice and payment of salary arrears, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 13/10/2019)

Work stress, loneliness and culture shock are leading Nepalis to commit suicide in South Korea; Over thirty percent of deaths between 2009 to 2018 among Nepalis in South Korea were suicides, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 11/10/2019)

This fiscal year, Nepalis are already dying in foreign lands at a rate of two every day: In the last two months, 124 Nepali workers have died in foreign labour destinations, primarily Malaysia and the Gulf countries, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 05/10/2019)

Families of migrant workers who died abroad can receive financial support at local level: The latest move will save time and money for hundreds of aggrieved families who had to travel to Kathmandu from various parts of the country for claiming their compensation amount, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 03/10/2019)

Health Ministry prepares a proposal to send health attachés to South Korea, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia: The proposal aims to reduce the death rate of Nepali migrant workers, by Arjun Poudel (kp 24/09/2019)

Migrant workers returning home without salary and justice from Qatar: Amnesty International: Workers’ exploitation continues despite Qatar’s promise to improve the foreign labour force’s condition, says the latest report, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 20/09/2019) [see AI report of 19/09/2019]

Government formally resumes labour migration to Malaysia after nearly 16 months: Workers will reach Malaysia as per the new labour deal that requires employers to bear all the expenses, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 16/09/2019)

Expanding job opportunities for all: Remittances have contributed on average a quarter of the gross domestic product, but Nepal needs a homegrown supply of meaningful and productive jobs, by Faris H. Hadad-Zervos (kp 10/09/2019)

Hike in guarantee amount for recruiting agencies unlikely to eliminate malpractices, experts say: The state had hoped that by increasing the guarantee amount it would bring down the number of agencies, hence lowering incidences of workers being cheated, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 07/09/2019)

Govt scraps licence of 303 manpower firms (ht 05/09/2019)

Gokarna Bista: Foreign employment is not our main agenda, job creation inside the country is: Bista faces a herculean task of creating new jobs and reversing an exodus of migrant workers within the next five years, interview with Minister for Labour (kp 03/09/2019)

Migrant workers now require bank accounts to receive work permits: Government’s move to make it mandatory for all aspiring workers to have a bank account, however, hit a snag on the first day, as almost nobody knew about the new rule, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 03/09/2019), Bank account is now mandatory to acquire work permit (rep 03/09/2019), DoFE extends bank account deadline for migrants (ht 04/09/2019)

226 manpower agencies apply for merger process (ht 02/09/2019)

Hundreds of migrant workers, including from Nepal, on strike after Qatari employer refuses to issue them ID cards: Nepali workers say they are afraid to go out, fearing arrest and immediate deportation, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 29/08/2019)

New provision allows migrant workers to obtain re-entry labour permits in destination countries: The move will give respite to thousands of Nepalis who otherwise had to come to Nepal for getting the permits, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 25/08/2019)

New provision to allow Nepali domestic help in Gulf to return home during break: Nepali workers will be provided with re-entry labour permit to rejoin their job in destination countries, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 23/08/2019)

Return migration: Build nation, and they will come; An effective way to influence the return of productive Nepalis living abroad would be to make a strong domestic push for government accountability in areas of infrastructure development, social justice and rule of law, by Keshar M. Ghimire (ht 20/08/2019)

Permanent account number rule to come into force despite calls for deferral: The private sector said implementation should be postponed because of practical difficulties, by Rajesh Khanal (kp 19/08/2019)

As opportunities for Nepali workers dry up in popular labour destinations, migration numbers dwindle: According to government statistics, for the past two consecutive years, less and less Nepali workers are applying for jobs in Gulf countries and Malaysia, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 14/08/2019)

Errant manpower firms under govt scanner (ht 11/08/2019)

Nepal explores labour market in Europe for Nepali immigrant workers: The Labour Ministry is holding consultations with the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and Ministry of Foreign Affairs to draft a labour agreement with Turkey, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 08/08/2019)

Lack of clarity over ban on Malaysia leads to confusion among aspiring migrants: The government never formally announced a prohibition of migrating to Malaysia for work, foreign employment agencies say, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 05/08/2019)

Nepali women duped in China have returned home, but their ordeal is not over yet: Most of them have filed complaints at the foreign employment department demanding compensation, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 04/08/2019)

Government says Prime Minister Employment Programme created over 2.2 million days of work for over 175,000 people: Minister Gokarna Bista calls the achievement historic, but there are concerns whether such cash distributive schemes will help the country—and the people—in the long run, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 02/08/2019)

His last journey home to Nepal: Bishnu KC from Piuthan becomes a mere statistic in the grim saga of migrant labour, by Shankar Dahal (nt 02/08/2019), The heat is killing us, by Sonia Awale (nt 02/08/2019)

With no jobs at home, hundreds of Nepalis travel to India to pick apples every year: Although migrant workers include people of all ages, it is mostly the unemployed youth that leave for work in Shimla, by Rupa Gahatraj (kp 01/08/2019)

Migration from facts: Importance of work-related outmigration and remittances for Nepali economy warrants setting up a credible, frequently updated database on the stock of migrants by destination, by Paras Kharel (rep 31/07/2019)

Insecure foreign job: The govt must take legal action against the manpower agency that duped the Nepali women who suffered in the foreign land (ht 30/07/2019)

Developing migration diplomacy: Nepal should develop a migration diplomacy to safeguard rights and welfare of migrant workers, while maintaining long-term economic interests in the Gulf countries and beyond, by Froilan Malit Jr and Anurag Devkota (rep 30/07/2019)

After Gulf and Malaysia, Nepal reaches out to Europe to send its workers thereLabour Ministry is approaching European countries like Germany, Portugal, Poland, and Turkey as its new labour destinations, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 28/07/2019)

Expats taking work permit fell 30 pc last fiscal (ht 27/07/2019)

Women workers in construction sector continue to experience exploitation on several fronts: The workers are formally organising against unequal pay, workplace safety, and workplace harassment, and this is helping them protect their rights, recent study concludes, by Chandan Kumar Mandal(kp 26/07/2019)

Govt to form talks team for youth employment fund (ht 26/07/2019)

Compensation distributed to families of affected migrant workers (rep 25/07/2019)

Managing migration: Nepal needs effective labor sector reforms based on tripartite social dialogues, involving the government, employers and workers, by Deepak Dhital (rep 23/07/2019)

Outflow of migrants drops by 17pc: Govt, recruiters say ‘Malaysia factor’ led to the drop (ht 22/07/2019)

Govt told to ensure safe migration, protect rights of women migrants (ht 20/07/2019)

Women construction workers: Organising for change: More and more women construction workers are joining unions as they help with claiming compensation; Women still earn almost 30 percent less than men for  the same work, by Feyzi Ismail (kp 17/07/2019)

NHRC for lifting travel ban on female migrant workers (rep 17/07/2019)

Climate of death: Nepali migrant workers who work in the open field of hot desert like climate in the Gulf are among the most affected by climate change. Climate change acts like a double-edged sword for them, by Ngamindra Dahal and Bhagirath Yogi (rep 15/07/2019)

Remittance is great, but what of the workers suffering abroad? National politics play a factor in youth seeking employment abroad, by Prabha Poudyal (kp 14/07/2019)

Trapped abroad: Cases of Nepali migrant workers stuck in exploitative jobs should be handled quickly and effectively (kp 12/07/2019)

Workers denied timely wages under prime minister’s job programme: Dissatisfied workers warn that they will launch protests if they  are not paid by Tuesday, by Nirmala Khadayat (kp 09/07/2019)

Majority of people enrolled under PM’s Employment Programme dissatisfied in Sudurpaschim: The programme has come under fire for its ineffective implementation plans (kp 02/07/2019)

Costs of migration: For our temptation for career and financial gain abroad, are we not ruining the quality of life of our parents?, by Sindhu Gyawali (rep 30/06/2019)

Labour migration: Let’s manage and regulate it, by Pragya Panta (ht 28/06/2019)

PMEP bending rules to spend budget, by Umesh Poudel (ht 27/06/2019), A failed scheme: PMEP has failed to create jobs for the unemployed people at the grassroots level due to poor planning and lack of nationwide database of the target groups (ht 28/06/2019)

Health insurance mandatory for migrant workers (ht 26/06/2019)

Families of 104 migrant workers who died during leave to get compensation: Foreign Employment Board forms task force to repatriate  28 paralysed and comatose Nepalis, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 25/06/2019)

A vision for vocations: Visionary Nepali sets up a training centre offering Nepal’s earthquake-affected an alternative to migration, by Monika Deupala (nt 14/06/2019)

Out-migration and labour market distortions, by Narayan Manandhar (kp 13/06/2019)

Unemployment details collection in Karnali sees delays, by Nagendra Upadhyaya and DB Budha (kp 12/06/2019)

Nepal to sign  labour pacts with Mauritius, UAE (ht 10/06/2019)

With heart complications the leading cause of death among Nepali migrants, doctors recommend blood pressure screenings before departureIn the last nine years, over 1,500 Nepali migrant workers have died due to cardiovascular reasons.  But the focus remains on tuberculosis, doctors say, by Arjun Poudel (kp 06/06/2019)

No sustenance allowance for unemployed this year, by Nikeeta Gautam (rep 27/05/2019)

Government awaits committee report to address agitated recruiting agencies’ demands: Recruiting agencies’ main demand is interest on the cash they deposit as part of the increased guarantee amount, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 26/05/2019)

Employment scheme aims to provide work to over 100k unemployed: The Prime Minister Employment Programme will only provide 30 days of work this year against the pledged minimum 100 days in a year, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 25/05/2019)

ILO calls for investment in people’s capabilities (rep 21/05/2019)

Revamp Foreign Job Market, by Kamal Parajuli (rn 20/05/2019)

Recruiting agencies threaten tosuspend operations for a week, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 19/05/2019)

Nepali women abroad: Effective policies should be created to make life easier for women migrant workers, by Prabha Poudel (kp 19/05/2019)

State aims to provide minimum 30 days of work to the unemployed this fiscal year: The employment programme was launched with the aim of providing jobless people  100 days of work in a fiscal year, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 17/05/2019)

Two years on, Nepali women still barred from working in the Gulf as housemaids: Latest recommendations urge the government to revoke discriminatory restrictions and allow all women equal access to employment, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 14/05/2019)

After labour deal, Japanese employers are coming forward to hire Nepali workers: The Nepali side is awaiting language and skill test mechanisms for implementing the agreement reached two months ago, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 12/05/2019)

Recruiting agencies want interest on their cash deposit: Recruiting agencies threaten to return operation licences to the government, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 11/05/2019) [This sounds reasonable!]

Outward bound (nt 10/05/2019)

Basic minimum wage eludes Nepali migrant workers, by Umesh Poudel (ht 09/05/2019), Ensure basic wages: Nepal govt must start fresh talks with labour-receiving countries to guarantee basic wages to Nepali migrant workers (ht 10/05/2019)

Kailali youths throng local units to register for job scheme: More than 14,000 people have submitted their applications, by Nirmala Khadayat (kp 08/05/2019)

Government plans to create 500k jobs in a year. Experts say it’s a daunting task: They stress clear policies and plans rather than ambitious projects, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 06/05/2019), Employment woes: Government plan of finding employment for 500,000 seems far-fetched (kp 09/05/2019)

Migration for development: Advance policy, institutional coherence, by Jhabindra Bhandari (ht 06/05/2019)

Worker outsourcing companies not too keen to obtain licence: Labour Act makes it mandatory for worker supplying agencies to acquire permits for operation, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 03/05/2019)

Labour pains: Labour laws have guaranteed rights but employment creation will still be key (kp 01/05/2019)

Nepal’s unemployment rate estimated at 11.4 percent, by Rajesh Khanal (kp 27/04/2019), Unemployment rate stands at 11.4 pcCBS survey reveals 908,000 working age people jobless in the country (ht 27/04/2019)

Nepal and UAE agree on zero investment jobs for Nepali workers: The latest labour agreement frees Nepali workers from any fees or cost while going to the Gulf country for employment, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 26/04/2019)

DoFE receives fewer number of complaints: What needs to be taken into account is number of foreign job-seekers has also gone down, by Arpana Ale Magar (ht 24/04/2019)

Government extends registration deadline for employment scheme: A minimum 100-day job guarantee programme has received mixed reactions, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 23/04/2019)

Inspection of facilities begins for medical tests of migrant workers: A total of 126 new medical facilities have applied for the health examination licence, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 22/04/2019)

Nepali workers in Qatar struggle for jobs after being duped with lucrative pay and free visa promises: Agents, recruiting agencies, and employers lure workers promising the freedom of working with companies of their choice, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 20/04/2019)

Implementation of ‘free visa, free ticket’ scheme has been largely ineffective: New report says concerned authorities failed to monitor, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 15/04/2019)

Migration tale: Nepal needs to invest in models that encourage the return of out-migrants, so that their skills may be utilised at home, by Anita Poudel (kp 12/04/2019)

Migrants can now lodge complaints from abroad (ht 02/04/2019)

Brighter side of foreign employment: Skills learned abroad giving good returns at home, by Bhim Chapagain (rep 01/04/2019)

Local units start gathering data for Prime Minister job programme: Under the scheme, unemployed citizens of working age between 18 and 59 years can benefit, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 01/04/2019)

A job to be done: Remittance is a short-term fix, we need to create work here (kp 27/03/2019)

Recruiting agencies must send workers within 90 days of getting labour permit, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 24/03/2019)

They have a degree, but have no job: Students of medical microbiology from Tribhuvan University Institute of Science and Technology are not licensed to work, by Arjun Poudel (kp 18/03/2019)

The forgotten half: Nobody ever talks about the need to protect the rights of labour migrants to India, by Sudeshna Thapa (kp 18/03/2019)

Don’t forget their rights: The proposed labour pact with Japan is a chance to enhance migration governance, by Nava Raj Sapkota (kp 15/03/2019)

Foreign workers for various projects await labour permits: Over 400 workers denied permits as employers fail to limit workforce, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 10/03/2019)

Still work to be done: The Prime Minister Employment Programme is welcome, but implementation and monitoring mechanism will be key, by Kushal Pokharel (kp 05/03/2019)

Removing poverty with jobs: Domestic employment and income generation are the key to prosperity, by David Seddon (nt 22/02/2019)

A Welcome Initiative on Employment, by Uttam Maharjan (rn 21/02/2019)

Professional network seeks to help women find jobs (kp 21/02/2019)

Recruiting agencies oppose decision to hike guarantee amount: Experts say move will help manage foreign employment, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 19/02/2019)

Scheme to ensure at least 100 days of jobs for unemployed on cards: Programme is part of a larger plan to create 100,000 jobs annually, officials say, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 12/02/2019), Government launching Prime Minister Employment Program on Wednesday (rep 12/02/2019), Watch out (kp 14/02/2019), Govt’s ambitious minimum employment scheme kicks in: Finance minister for tapping private sector also (rep 14/02/2019), Challenging task: In case of failure, the govt could land up simply doling out unemployment benefits to the unemployed for lack of work (ht 15/02/2019), Employment for all? Initiatives like Prime Minister Employment Program do not necessarily enhance long-term employability. Focus should be on training and workforce development, by Abyaya Neopane (rep 18/02/2019)

Opening manpower agencies to cost a fortune, by Jagdishor Panday (ht 12/02/2019)

Unemployed to get Rs 22,417 per annum (ht 12/02/2019)

Government, recruiting agencies  differ on possible modality for labour migration to Japan: Recruiting agencies claim hiring of workers will take place via private agencies only; ministry says no decision taken yet, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 10/02/2019)

In need of more protection: The Occupational Safety and Health  for migrant workers is in a sorry state, by Sudeshna Thapa (kp 06/02/2019)

Promoting migrant health: A worldwide exodus is on, and these people must have easy access to health services, by Jhabindra Bhandari (kp 01/02/2019)

House panel delays re-entry permit for migrant workers (ht 23/01/2019)

Migrants will now be allowed to carry only $200: NRB (ht 23/01/2019) [??? The migrans are punished for failed economic politics of government and administration!], NRB lowers forex limit for foreign-bound workers to $200 (rep 23/01/2019)

Challenges of Foreign Employment, by Hira Bahadur Thapa (rn 18/01/2019)

Locked up abroad: A mechanism needs to be created to protect the legal aid rights of migrant workers, by Anurag Devkota (kp 17/01/2019)

Labour departures for Japan possible by April this year, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 13/01/2019)

Gandaki Province issues re-entry labour permits from today: The number of provinces that now issue the permit add up to be three, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 10/01/2019)

Study explores plight of Nepali female migrant workers in Gulf countries (ht 06/01/2019)

‘Enforce free-visa, free-ticket scheme’: Migrant workers continue to pay hefty sum despite policy being implemented years ago; The Supreme Court has issued a directive to the government to effectively implement the scheme to reprieve workers from massive financial burden, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (rep 04/01/2019)

Roll out free visa, ticket scheme: SC (ht 03/01/2019)

Migration as Path to Progress, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn 01/01/2019)

Two provinces to issue re-entry labour permits from today, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 30/12/2018)

Nepal, Inc in 2019: Outmigration will only stop if the government starts behaving less like a tax collector, and more as an investor, by Anil Chitrakar (nt 28/12/2018)

Govt starts process of sending workers to Japan from April (ht 22/12/2018)

The toilers are gone: Nepal should consider building programmes to support the capacities of migrant families, by Sameer Karki (kp 21/12/2018)

On the move: Migration, due to a lack of jobs or better pay abroad, is regarded as inevitable today, by Paul I. Norton (kp 18/12/2018)

Women labour migration: Causes and consequences, by Jaya Shor Chapagain (ht 18/12/2018)

Ready to work: There seems to be a huge gap between what the industry is looking for and what the colleges and universities are producing, by Nirmal Thapa (rep 18/12/2018)

Government fails to stop Nepali women workers travelling to Middle East (kp 17/12/2018)

Nepal blacklists 65 foreign employers: Companies from Malaysia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE banned, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 15/12/2018)

Changing the headlines on migration: By signing the Global Compact on Migration in Marrakesh this week, Nepal commits to move beyond rhetoric to action, by Upasana Khadka (nt 14/12/2018)

Experts seek gender-responsive policies for safe migration of women (rep 13/12/2018)

One Nepali guest worker dies every day in Malaysia: Nepal Embassy data shows suicides and diseases are the leading causes of deaths of Nepalis in Malaysia (kp 12/12/2018)

Govt plans to ensure safer migration system (ht 11/12/2018)

Undocumented—not illegal: Labour protections must include undocumented migrants, by Anurag Devkota (kp 04/12/2018)

Chasing Nepali Dream: Why are 1500 plus Nepali youths leaving the country every day? Are they being forced to relinquish Nepali Dream for survival?, by Mukesh Baral (rep 01/12/2018)

Labour offices to provide work permit from all provinces, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 29/11/2018)

Government bid to use migrant workers’ skills, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 25/11/2018)

Calls for ethical recruitment practices to protect workers, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 20/11/2018)

Fifth Colombo Process meet kicks off in Kathmandu: Ministers and officials from 12 labour source countries discuss migrant workers safety, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 16/11/2018), Labour pain, by Om Astha Rai (nt 16/11/2018), Leaders vow zero cost jobs for migrant workers, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 17/11/2018), Global consensus on employers bearing migrant hiring costs, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 18/11/2017)

Paying an arm and a leg: Nepali migrant workers are becoming disabled to enable the economy, by Om Astha Rai (nt 16/11/2018), Success in Nepal means not having to work: Nepalis work hardest when they are outside Nepal, by Anil Chitrakar (nt 16/11/2018)

A deadly decade for migrant workers: In a period the nation made Rs. 4.48 trillion in remittances, more than 6,700 lives were lost, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 05/11/2018)

Report exposes irregularities in self-employment programme: Cooperatives lent money even to poultry firms, fancy shops, furniture traders, hoteliers and bullion traders, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 04/11/2018)

Migrants can soon avail re-entry permit online (ht 25/10/2018)

Migrant returnees rue lack of environment in Nepal to utilize skills, capital (rep 16/10/2018)

Ensuring migrant workers’ safety: Government urged to implement rights body’s recommendations (kp 08/10/2018)

Old statute, new problems: New legislation should be passed to address the plight of migrant workers at home, by Anurag Devkota (kp 03/10/2018)

Youth leaders applaud Prime Minister Employment Programme, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 01/10/2018)

Sorrows of Nepali migrant workers: Unless Nepali missions abroad are solely authorized to attest employer institutions’ demand letters migration won’t be safe and rewarding, by Surya Nath Mishra (rep 23/09/2018)

Pushing women away: It is very difficult for women to access information on safe migration. Many do not realize the implications of being flown via India or Nepal, by Ayushma Basnyat (rep 22/09/2018)

Foreign jobs data system and phone app launched (kp 11/09/2018)

Rethinking foreign employment: It’s proved that remittance-led development is susceptible to the variables beyond the control of labor-sending countries, by Bishal Bhattarai (rep 11/09/2018)

Recruiting agency ‘should issue receipt to retain worker’s passport': Department of Foreign Employment instructs recruiting agencies to appoint staff to deal with workers’ concerns (kp 09/09/2018)

Bista vows decent jobs for all Nepalis (kp 04/08/2018)

Orientation syllabus for foreign migrant labourers to be revised, by Umesh Poudel (ht 03/09/2018)

Nepali workers prefer Qatar and Malaysia, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 28/08/2018)

Stranded Nepali workers could rejoin jobs in Saudi (kp 27/08/2018)

Comprehensive Job Portal App launched (rep 27/08/2018)

Bista moots employment board name change to spur local jobs; Committee members raise their concerns about the migration of Nepali girls and women to war-torn countries via India (kp 24/08/2018)

New bill seeks to guarantee employment (ht 24/08/2018), Jobless citizens to get sustenance allowance (kp 24/08/2018)

Nepal receiving two dead migrant workers every day for past seven years: Report, by Rewati Sapkota (ht 24/08/2018)

Foreign employment: Good for some, bad for others, by Sarita Shrestha (rep 21/08/2018)

The promised land: Nepal must ensure that migrant workers are not exploited, here and abroad (kp 20/08/2018) [No, Nepal must provide jobs at home!]

Fellow Nepalis, return home: The exodus of youths is giving our political leadership the license to do nothing and feast on remittance, be unaccountable and deepen the political crisis further, by Devendra Gautam (rep 19/08/2018)

Workers await Nepal-Qatar pact for safe, lucrative job, by Chandra Kumar Mandal and Prakash Chandra Timilsena (kp 18/08/2018)

Migrant Workers’ Agony, by Hira Bahadur Thapa (kp 17/08/2018)

New labour markets: Focus on six Euro nations, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 17/08/2018)

Government mulls social security scheme for migrant Nepali workers, by Sagar Ghimire (rep 16/08/2018)

Exporting labour: No country can achieve prosperity and happiness by exporting the youth — the engine of growth (ht 16/08/2018)

Government preparing to send trained, skilled workers abroad for jobs (ht 16/08/2018)

Nepalis prefer to work in Malaysia—deadliest destination, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 12/08/2018)

Nepal favours government deals to protect migrant workers: Officials hope G2G model will help stop exploitation of poor Nepalis by recruiting firms and their agents, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 11/08/2018), The masque of anarchy: When the government takes a tough stance, as the recent Malaysian case has shown, foreign regimes are forced to concede to the fair treatment of Nepalis working abroad, by Mohan Guragain (kp 11/08/2018)

Fellow citizens abroad: The government should ensure that Nepali migrant workers are adequately protected, by Mohan Kafle (kp 06/08/2018)

Govt proposes 120-day jobless allowance: Will be provided to those in 18 to 60 age group if they’re looking for job, but have not found one, by Rewati Sapkota (ht 06/08/2018)

Recruiting agencies panel meets ministers: NAFEA team urges PM Oli to review plan to hike new licence fee (kp 05/06/2018)

Labour Ministry proposes to hike employment agency fee to Rs 60m (kp 03/08/2018)

Migrant workers suffer as agents use fake papers: The issue of fake NOC came to light last week when 16 Nepali women were rescued in Delhi, by Suresh Raj Neupane (kp 02/08/2018)

Foreign employment bill: Preparation to up licensing fee draws flak from recruiting firms (rep 01/08/2018)

Malaysia requests Nepal to resume worker departures, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 29/0/7/2018)

Nepal mulls migrant worker agreement with Mauritius; Portugal shows interest to hire Nepali workers, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 27/07/2018)

May 18 permit cut-off for worker departures for Malaysia, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 23/07/2018)

Deaths of Nepali migrant workers increases (kp 23/07/2018)

Cabinet sets new rates for demand letter verification (kp 07/07/2018)

Workers with Malaysian visas twiddle thumbs, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 06/07/2018)

Young and jobless: The issue of unemployment is robbing Nepali youth of a glorious futurem by Sapana Phuyal (kp 05/07/2018)

Overseas ordeal: Govt aye to legal help for workers (kp 29/06/2018), Legal aid for falsely implicated migrants: Innocent migrant Nepali workers languishing in jails for offences they have not committed, by Pushpa Raj Acharya (ht 29/06/2018)

‘Crackdown on agencies halts migrant workers’ departure’ (kp 28/06/2018)

Youth Outflow and Remittance, by Lal Deosa Rai (kp 25/06/2018)

Work permit for Malaysia unlikely prior to bilateral labour agreement, by Sujan Dhungana (ht 25/06/2018)

Skill test must for EPS workers from 2020 (ht 25/06/2018)

Fall in number of workers not linked to 'free-visa-free-ticket': NRB, by Sagar Ghimire (rep 13/06/2018)

Central bank seeks changes in foreign employment services (ht 13/06/2018)

Migration no solution: The happiness is missing in families although they might have become more affluent, by Kabi Adhikari (kp 08/06/2018)

Guidelines for rescue of critically ill migrant workers on the cards (kp 08/06/2018)

Pre-labour permits for Malaysia halted: Pre-permission stopped since Malaysian Embassy announced closure of agencies processing visa, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 28/05/2018)

Labour flight problem: Time to address it, by Vikash Raj Satyal (ht 24/05/2018)

Migrant hiring regulation to take time for complete enforcement (kp 21/05/2018)

National Prosperity Through Domestic Employment, by Lok Nath Bhusal (rn 20/05/2018)

39 health check-up firms on strike (ht 19/05/2018)

Govt to scrap fees unfairly levied on Malaysia-bound Nepali workers: Minister says government committed to dismantling all cartels in the foreign employment sector, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 18/05/2018), Med centre, VLN operators booked for overcharging Malaysia-bound workers (kp 21/05/2018), Move against fees hits Malaysia departures, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 22/05/2018), Embassy closes ISC as OSC continues process (kp 22/05/2018), Labour relief: Diplomacy key to succesfully enforce scrapping of Malaysia authorised exploitative out-migrant fees (kp 22/05/2018)

Calls to address unethical hiring of migrant workers (kp 13/05/2018)

Nepalis in Qatar: Migrant workers live in a system of exclusion without any protection of human rights, by Anwar Alam (kp 10/05/2018)

Govt sets new rule to protect Nepalis working abroad: Recruiters must obtain work letter approval from Nepali embassies, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 09/05/2018), Labour pain: Government’s decision to ask ‘demand letters’ is appreciable, now enforce it (kp 10/05/2018)

Crackdown on passport crimes: Department proposes three-year jail term and huge fines for recruiting agents who retain jobseekers’ passports (kp 04/05/2018)

Unskilled workers dominate Nepali labour force abroad: Nearly 75 percent of the migrant workers leaving the country in fiscal year 2013/14 were unskilled, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 02/05/2018)

State 1 tops migrant workers: Southern plains send 35pc workers in nine years as department issues over 3.5 million permits, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 29/04/2018)

Minors faking age to acquire passport for jobs abroad, by Rewati Sapkota (ht 29/04/218)

5,892 Nepalis die on foreign soil, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 28/04/2018)

Homes away from home: Female domestic workers in Lebanon cannot visit families back in Nepal because of a travel ban that prevents them from returning to well-paying jobs, by Upasana Khadka (nt 27/04/2018)

Half of migrant workers going through individual labor approval, by Rudra Khadka (rep 22/04/2018)

‘Remove Gulf job age limit for women’ (kp 20/04/2018)

The Risk Appetite, by Upasana Khadka (nt 20/04/2018)

Benefits Women Want At Work, by Shradha Gyawali (sp 20/04/2018)

Ministry relief for migrant workers: Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security announces free legal services to Nepalis facing hardships in jails of foreign countries, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (17/04/2018)

Nepal’s employment rate highest in South Asia (kp 17/04/2018)

Acute food crisis triggers migration (ht 14/04/2018)

Unemployment woes: Effective measures required, by Girish P. Pant (ht 12/04/2018)

Apex body to fine agencies cheating migrant workers: NAFEA pushes for fair trade practices (kp 07/04/2018)

Labour permit for overseas employment: Govt to set up three offices outside Capital; ‘DoFE outlets in Itahari, Janakpur and Butwal to issue work permits’ (kp 21/03/2018), Experts doubt new labour offices will ease centre’s load‘Migrant workers will favour Kathmandu for medical, job orientation and flight services’ (kp 24/03/2018)

Grievances of migrant workers: Minister Bista orders daily hearing of cases, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 19/03/2018)

‘Respect for labour key to solving joblessness’: Youths account for 40.35 percent of the country’s total population, out of that 19.2 percent  is unemployed (kp 16/03/2018)

End the stigma: Women migrants, like their male counterparts, send remittance, and eventually bring new skills back home. Don’t they deserve respect?, by Roni Pradhan, Dhaubhadel (kp 09/03/2018)

Forgetting about rights: Foreign employment governance has to be redefined under new federal structure to safeguard the rights of migrant workers, by Himalaya Kjharel and Jeevan Baniya (kp 26/02/2018), Loopholes in laws deprive migrant workers of timely justice (ht 27/02/2018)

Limiting number of recruiting agencies: ‘Govt cannot stop issuing licences to new companies’ (kp 20/02/2018)

A bane in disguise: Foreign employment is the drug that our country has become addicted to. Only a revolutionary political, economic and social movement can rescue us, by Binisha Nepal (rep 18/02/2018)

Foreigners taking work permit on the rise (ht 17/02/2018)

Migrant worker body issues 537 contracts in a day: Employment Permit System issues over 1,600 contracts to aspiring Nepali workers since January 2018, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 15/02/2018)

Social trend of migration effecting more migration (rep 10/02/2018)

‘Good Conduct Certificate’  must for work visa in UAE (kp 08/02/2018)

Nepal must ‘do more’ to protect workers’ rights (kp 06/02/2018)

Bulldozers take away jobs from villagers, by Bhim Bahadur Singh (kp 05/01/2018)

Weight of migration: Saudi decision to restrict foreign employment workers could hit our economy, migrants hard (kp 02/02/2018)

Government urged not to sign labour agreement with low-paying nations (ht 31/01/2018)

Labour migration dips in current fiscal: 168,190 have taken work permit from DoFE so far in 2017-18 (ht 29/01/2018)

Employment opportunity: Indian construction workers coming to Nepal in droves, by Chandra Karki (kp 21/01/2018)

Foreign employment saving bond fails to attract migrant workers (rep 16/01/2018)

We will find a way: We need to create opportunities where every ‘where will I work?’ question is addressed with answers, by Binisha Nepal (rep 13/01/2018)

Nepal's #1 export: people (nt 29/12/2017)

Safe migration: Harnessing development potential, by Jhabindra Bhandari (ht 27/12/2017)

Qatar remains top labour destination: Malaysia standing grows while Saudi charm wanes (kp 26/12/2017), Qatar top destination for Nepali migrants (ht 29/12/2017)

NAFEA wants higher service charge for Europe (kp 26/12/2017)

Nepal govt failed to curb illegal recruitment fees, says Amnesty Int’l (kp 19/12/2017) [see AI press release], Lost without recourse: Govt has failed to enforce laws that would discourage exploitation of migrant workers (kp 20/12/2017), Value of life: Why are Nepali migrants, who were proven to be medically fit before departure, dying in large numbers abroad?, by Roni Pradhan (kp 20/12/2017)

A third of migrant households in Sunsari remain poor: Study; It has found that about 30 percent households,  who were previously better off, became rather poorer after migrating overseas (kp 17/12/2017), Protecting workers without borders: Nepal should benefit from migration, but not at the cost of the rights and wellbeing of migrants, by Paul I. Norton (kp 17/12/2017)

Rs3.54b spent on skill development largely 'a waste', by Rudra Pangeni (rep 17/12/2017)

Road to riches: Mass job creation is key to our dream of prosperity. But this is possible only when we give priority to enterprise and entrepreneur development, by Nahakul KC (rep 22/11/2017)

Skilled-based training for aspirant migrant workers (kp 19/11/2017)

Opening new doors: There is need for more lucrative and rights friendly alternatives for migrant workers, by Roni Pradhan and Sunila Baniya (kp 14/11/2017)

Narrow escape  An inside look at the labour migration cycle shows the pitiful plight of Nepali migrant workers, by Miriam Shendroff (kp 07/11/2017)

Nepal seeks result-oriented projects from labour body (ht 04/11/2017)

Unscrupulous intermediaries: Ensuring pro-migrant worker regime in Nepal is perilous unless culpable agents are tried within the ambit of law, by Anurag Acharya (kp 03/11/2017)

Outflow of migrant workers drops in first trimester (ht 30/10/2017)

Nepal to face labour shortage by 2030: The country may fall short of 3.6 million workers in 12 years (kp 27/10/2017)

Stakeholders stress on inclusive job creation (ht 27/10/2017)

Caught in the middle by middlemen: Migrant workers learn to face exploitation and abuse from recruiters at home and abroad, by Upasana Khadka (nt 27/10/2017)

Myadi job lures migrant workers, by Tularam Pandey (kp 24/10/2017), Around 300,000 apply for Myadi jobs: Nepal Police to finalise names on Friday; Govt to deploy highest number of temporary security recruits in Province 2 (kp 26/10/2017)

DoFE receives 418 grievances in two months (ht 24/10/2017)

Over one-third migrant workers hail from seven districts (ht 23/10/2017)

Discussion held on migration health policy (kp 12/10/2017), Draft migration health policy discussed (ht 12/10/2017), The next step: Health issues must be addressed to safeguard migrant workers, backbone of our economy (ht 13/10/2017)

Qatar top destination for Nepali migrants last fiscal year, by Sabin Mishra (ht 08/10/2017)

Govt spending millions to rescue migrants, bring back bodies (kp 07/10/2017)

‘Unfree’ labour: Only a concerted global effort will destroy the extremely exploitative employment system in the Gulf, by Leila Antier (kp 06/10/2017)

Take services to the people: Forcing aspiring migrant workers to come to Kathmandu for all paperwork is unkind, by Prakash Bhattarai and Vivek Adhikari (kp 03/10/2017)

Rules of engagement: Due to the country’s overreliance on overseas employment and remittance, external labor relations will be policymakers’ priority in the future, by Narayan Manandhar (rep 27/09/2017)

DoFE introduces eye-scan technology to issue work permits (kp 26/09/2017)

Labour migration: Emerging challenges, by Jhabindra Bhandari (ht 20/09/2017), Going somewhere: Migration can be a positive force for development when assisted by the right policy, by Jhabindra Bhandari (kp 20/09/2017)

More Nepalis going abroad for employment: Qatar emerges as top destination ahead of Saudi (kp 18/09/2017)

Foreign employment: Govt to raise licence fee for recruiting firms, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 16/09/2017)

‘Labour sending nations must raise common concerns of migrants’ (kp 14/09/2017), 12 nations to forge common stance on migration (ht 14/09/2017)

Burning issue: Labour migration governance demands a focus beyond its regular economic perception, by Prakash Bhattarai, Reshma Basnet and Vivek Adhikari (kp 07/09/2017)

Free-visa-free-ticket scheme: Recruiting agencies slapped with penalties for not submitting details, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 05/09/2017)

Help wanted: The farm sector can create immense employment opportunities for jobless youths, by David Kainee (kp 01/09/2017)

When they return: The irrelevancy of the skills migrants learn abroad  prevent them from doing business, by Amar B. Thing (kp 29/08/2017)

Just victims? Nepali women migrating out for work do also come back with higher remit and non-exploitative experiences, by Guneshwor Ojha (kp 25/08/2017)

More Nepalis goving abroad (ht 13/08/2017)

‘Free visa free ticket’ scheme a dud: Panel; House committee report says provision was never implemented, hence none of the migrant workers benefited in the last two years, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 10/08/2017)

Sweat money: Valuable assets, by Bijen Jonchhe (ht 07/08/2017)

Welfare sum for migrant workers’ kin doubled, by Sabin Mishra (ht 01/08/2017), Migrant workers will now pay up to Rs 2,500 into welfare fund (rep 01/08/2017), Relief finally: Criticism has come from various quarters that a lot of money was spent out of the Welfare Fund to pay for junkets and other expenses of powerful people (ht 02/08/2017), Money for misuse: Migrant Workers’ Welfare Fund (rep 02/08/2017), Compensation period extended for migrants: Earlier, families could claim compensation if the migrants workers died or suffered injury during the contract period (kp 03/08/2017), To better protect: Amendments to Foreign Employment Act must be implemented to safeguard migrant workers (kp 04/08/2017)

Migrants’ problems will be resolved soon: Mahara (kp 28/07/2017), ‘MoU must before opening destinations for females’ (ht 28/07/2017)

Manpower agencies, legal provisions major hurdles for government says Home Minister (rep 28/07/2017)

Number of workers seeking foreign jobs drops (ht 24/07/2017)

Rebuilding lives as important as rebuilding homes: Even if earthquake families move into new houses, they need help finding jobs, by Shreejana Shrestha (rep 21/07/2017)

Migrants’ outflow dips, labour shortage hits reconstruction (ht 20/07/2017), Labour shortage hits reconstruction works (kp 21/07/2017)

Govt revises welfare schemes for migrants: Compensation to families of deceased workers doubled; Workers suffering from grave illness and severe injuries are also covered by the government’s new welfare programme (kp 18/07/2017)

Questions that matter: The discourse on migrant workers needs to focus on accountability and attribution, by Barun Ghimire (kp 18/07/2017)

Online system troublesome for aspiring migrant workers (ht 15/07/2017)

Poverty forcing women into migration: Report (kp 13/07/2017), Exodus: Structural barriers and discrimination in local labour market drive women to work abroad (kp 14/07/2017)

Cost of migration: Two years into the adoption of the free-visa, free-ticket scheme, its practice is largely ignored, by Anurag Devkota (kp 11/07/2017)

Fewer Nepalis apply for jobs as tensions flare in the Gulf, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 10/07/2017), The job issue: Ongoing Gulf row should prod Nepal into  becoming less dependent on remittances (ht 12/07/2017)

Gathering storm: If migrant workers lose their jobs, how will they repay their debt to recruiting agents? How will they even return home?, by Nishchal Nath Pandey (rep 26/06/2017)

Nepali workers falling prey to deceptive recruitment agents, shows AI report: The main form of deception workers reported was related to salaries (ht 25/06/2017)

Woes Of Work Abroad, by Aditi Aryal (sp 23/06/2017)

Quiet riot brewing: The achievements of the Jana Andolan II do not benefit the youth and every day over 1,500 leave in search of better opportunities abroad, by Bimal Pratap Shah (rep 21/06/2017)

Managing migration: Nepali workers receive lower pay for work of equal value in comparison to workers from other countries, by Sudeshna Thapa (rep 21/06/2017)

SDG 8 : The new workforce; Transforming the economy in a way that increases the number of quality jobs is essential for sustainable development, by Bhawani Rana (kp 20/06/2017)

Fun after 40: Unless Nepal is able to create significant number of jobs in agriculture, infrastructure and tourism labor migration to other countries won’t stop, by Bhagirath Yogi (rep 18/06/2017)

Breaking through the legal bind, by Priyanka Gurung (rep 16/06/2017)

DoFE: Demands for work permit dropped: Recruiting agencies claim the lull is annual phenomena due to Ramadan, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 13/06/2017)

Lack of well-paying jobs a formidable challenge in LDCs: Ambassador Dhital (ht 13/06/2017)

Find alternatives: The focus of Nepali planners and policy makers should be on chalking out policies aimed at generating enough employment within the country (ht 12/06/2017)

Nepal failing to protect migrant workers: Amnesty International (kp 07/06/2017) [see AI report], Seize the moment: For Nepalis, there is no ‘safe migration’ without the end of debt bondage, by James Lynch (kp 07/06/2017), Unscrupulous recruiters continue to exploit migrants: AI (ht 07/06/2017), Nepal fails to stop exploitation of migrant workers: AI (rep 07/06/2017)

PAHS team to probe deaths of Nepali migrants (kp 06/06/2017)

Compelled to leave: Despite having experienced the hardships of labor migration, why is Mina still choosing to leave?, by Ayushma Basnyat (rep 05/06/2017)

Carnage in Kabul: Only adequate jobs at home can stop Nepalis from seeking opportunities in unsafe places (kp 02/06/2017)

Migrants with mobiles: Essential information about foreign employment could be effectively disseminated through mobile phones, by Himalaya Kharel (kp 30/05/2017)

Bank accounts must in Nepal for people heading abroad to work, by Sagar Ghimire (rep 30/05/2017)

Key Issues In Nepalese Labour Market, by Lok Nath Bhusal (rn 14/05/2017)

End this injustice: The government should ask the host countries to scrap the Kafala law which gives undue leverage to the employers (kp 12/05/2017)

Female migrants at higher risk of suicide (ht 11/05/2017)

Do Nepalis really need jobs? An exploration of why our work culture is deteriorating and what can be done to improve it, by Sujeev Shakya (kp 25/04/2017)

MoI to give priority to employment generation (ht 17/04/2017)

Nepal should not send labour to Qatar under Kafala law: Bundestag Vice President (ht 12/04/2017)

Worker health and safety: Major obstacles remain, by Sunil Kumar Joshi (ht 04/04/2017)

House panel to govt: Stop women domestics from going to Gulf (rep 03/04/2017)

Smuggling of Nepali women: House panel says immigration officials involved; Finds nexus between DoI employees and smugglers (kp 29/03/2017)

Report on labour migration, its socio-political impact released (kp 14/03/2017), Migration realities: Govt should pay heed to suggestions about enhancing the migration experience (kp 15/03/2017)

Maladies of the migrating mind: Migrant workers’ lives can be saved by improving the mental health services offered to them before and after departure, by Samik Adhikari and Sagun Ballav Pant (kp 06/03/2017)

Outflow of migrants declines (ht 19/02/2017)

The migrant story: Nepali migration overseas in search of good jobs has been pronounced following the restoration of democracy in 1990, by Gokul Pokhrel (rep 16/02/2017)

Insurance policy for migrants on anvil (kp 14/02/2017)

Foreign employment: Mixed blessing; Social values are declining and absence of youths put their conjugal life and other relations in jeopardy, by Shreedhar Aryal (rep 08/02/2017)

In praise of entrepreneurship: Government alone cannot provide adequate employment opportunities to a growing number of educated people, by Jagannath Adhikari (kp 07/02/2017)

Rescued migrant workers seek govt support for rehabilitation (ht 01/02/2017)

Women learning masonry for financial independence in Nuwakot, by Jaya Ram Gautam (ht 30/01/2017)

Never heard from again: Hundreds of Nepali migrant workers never return home, not even in coffins. They simply disappear, by Om Astha Rai (nt 27/01/2017), Victims help would-be victims: Having endured hardships, migrant worker returnees help others avoid suffering the same fate, by Upasana Khadka (nt 27/01/2017), High risk and no return: Nepali migrant workers borrow money, do not earn promised salaries, and if they die their indebted families are cheated of compensation, by Puru Shah (nt 27/01/2017)

Insurance to double for migrant workers: PM (kp 25/01/2017), More insurance, welfare plan for migrant workers unveiled: A migrant worker to get up to Rs 2.7 million under social welfare and insurance  (rep 25/01/2017), Insurance for migrant workers raised, by Pushpa Raj Acharya (ht 25/01/2017)

Migrant workers: Nepali women ahead of men in committing suicide abroad, by Rudra Khadka (rep 24/01/2017)

Underage workers leaving for jobs abroad (ht 21/01/2017)

NAFEA asks govt to facilitate migrants’ medical check-ups (kp 16/01/2017)

PM vows punish unscrupulous manpower agencies, by Narayan Bhurtel (rep 16/01/2017)

Work permits to be issued online beginning Monday: Recruiting agencies said the online system  could make the process easy and fast, as  there will be less paperwork (kp 15/01/2017)

European job market being explored: Manpower agencies have resorted to this move due to hardships faced by Nepali workers in Gulf countries, by Rupesh Acharya (ht 15/01/2017)

Lost in numbers: A wrong picture of migrant worker deaths has been given, as statistics were misread, by Anil Bhattarai (kp 13/01/2017)

Plight of irregular migrants: In South Asian countries, there is a huge gap between practice and policy when it comes to emigration laws, by Mahendra P. Lama (kp 11/01/2017)

Pitch for uniform labour deal with host countries (kp 10/01/2017)

Migration & Development Towards Sustainable Future, by Jhabindra Bhandari (rn 07/01/2017)

Formation of labor bank in limbo, by Rudra Khadka (rep 07/01/2017)

Lack of evidence adds to woes of duped Nepali foreign job-seekers, by Rupesh Acharya (ht 04/01/2017)

Lessons in mourning: We need to move beyond sensationalising migrant deaths to asking harder questions, by Upasana Khadka and Aamik Adhikari (kp 02/01/2017)

Ministry to increase migrant workers’ levy: Officials say move necessary for providing needy workers, their families with better relief (kp 28/12/2016)

Lack of annual leave, disintegrating migrant worker families, by Krishna Oli (rep 28/12/2016)

Fraudulent agents tricking unwitting migrants in Delhi: Nepal Police receives 281 plaints on fraud cases from Nepalis based in  various countries between Sept 2015 and Oct 2016, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (kp 27/12/2016)

Migrant workers continue to suffer appalling treatment, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 19/12/2016), Foreign employment: Govt should strengthen diplomatic resources and fight for fair treatment of migrant workers (kp 20/12/2016)

DoFE launches online process for work permit (kp 19/12/2016)

Safe, regular and orderly migration: Nepal needs dedicated policies and investment in preparing its nationals for overseas work, by Paul Norton (kp 18/12/2016)

Skill development critical to obtaining productive work opportunities: PM (kp 15/12/2016)

Qatar labour reform: ‘Ending kafala barely scratches the surface’; Old wine in new bottle; laws do not protect migrant workers: Activists; Will make comments after studying new legislation: Nepali officials, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 14/12/2016)

Call to adopt ‘Nordic Model’ to address labour issues (ht 14/12/2016)

Fluid dynamics: Nepal cannot afford to ignore the urgency of strengthening its labour market governance, by Richard Howard and Saloman Rajbanshi (kp 13/12/2016)

Rural migrants face reality check, by Anita Shrestha (ht 12/12/2016)

Youth unemployment, by Binita Thepa (ht 12/12/2016)

Call to tackle migrants’ needs through multi-sector approach (ht 03/12/2016)

Exodus to India for employment (ht 02/12/2016)

Govt told to probe fraud cases in foreign job sector (kp 25/11/2016)

Stop ‘looting’ of Malaysia-bound workers, govt told, by Lekhanath Pandey (ht 25/11/2016)

Nepalis can seek security guard jobs abroad, by Pushpa Raj Acharya (ht 23/11/2016)

Samsung and Panasonic accused over supply chain labour abuses in Malaysia: Migrant workers making goods for the global electronics brands claim they are trapped and exploited in Malaysia (Guardian 21/11/2016), Flagrant exploitation: Govt should continuously press for better labour rights for our migrant workers (kp 23/11/2016)

Outflow of migrant workers drops (ht 15/11/2016), Recruiting firms face a bleak future, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 16/11/2016)

Govt to offer vocational training to jobless youth (kp 15/11/2016)

MoI plans to generate 11,450 new jobs over next six months (ht 15/11/2016), Useful approach: The SMEs would also generate more jobs with the passage of time if more micro entrepreneurs make the most of the opportunities that would exist for them (ht 16/11/2016)

No. of Nepalis leaving for foreign jobs drops sharply, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 08/11/2016)

Outflow to Gulf, Malaysia back for housemaid jobs (kp 31/10/2016)

Employment in Malaysia, Saudi: Ending monopoly of pre-flight service firms suggested (kp 18/10/2016)

Agencies press govt to review visa-ticket rule (kp 09/10/2016)

NYC, NRNA join forces to empower youths (kp 05/10/2016), Govt to set up fund to nurture entrepreneurship among youth (ht 05/10/2016)

Skilled Nepalis abroad earn 27pc more than unskilled (kp 04/10/2016)

Govt mulls lifting work ban on Nepalis in conflict-hit countries (kp 30/09/2016)

‘Govt should protect rights of migrant workers’ (ht 28/09/2016)

Ban on security guards for conflict countries ending, by Kamal Pariyar (rep 27/09/2016)

Fighting syndicate: Recruiters urged to stop sending workers to M’sia: Nepali migrants going to Malaysia for jobs are forced to pay up to Rs 35,000 in pre-departure service, including health check-up (kp 23/09/2016)

Service fees of manpower firms not be hiked soon (ht 20/09/2016)

Foreign employment act: Workers’ welfare package on cards (kp 14/09/2016)

ILO proposes barring recruitment agencies from charging fees from workers (ht 10/09/2016)

Waiting for a rainy day: Productive use of Foreign Employment Welfare Fund will go a long way in solving problems faced by migrant workers, by Samik Adhikari (kp 06/09/2016)

Passport fee for Nepali migrant workers reduced (ht 02/09/2016)

Dahal presses for making foreign employment safe: Dahal has asked ministries of Foreign Affairs, and Labour and Employment to collaborate for safety, security of migrant workers (kp 31/08/2016)

Free-visa-free-ticket policy: Minister Gurung drops hint at revising scheme (kp 30/08/2016)

Working abroad: Contemporary mindset, by Rabindra Adhikari (ht 24/08/2016)

The long way home: Fluctuating oil prices and the political instability in the Gulf has stakeholders debating the long-term feasibility of a remittance-driven economy, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 20/08/2016)

The Cycle of Migration: What perpetuates it, and why it is important to break it, by Om Astha Rai (nt 19/08/2016)

The missing men: Migrants are tackling poverty in their own ways, but Nepal needs to generate capital within its own borders, by Eriko Shrestha (kp 14/08/2016)

Migrant workers’ welfare fund: Probe panel to look into alleged misuse of fund (kp 11/08/2016)

In-flight beer a rare treat for Nepali migrant workers (ht 03/08/2016)

Overseas labour migration fell 18.4 per cent in last fiscal year (ht 30/07/2016), Jobs at risk (ht 09/08/2016)

Blessing in disguise: Absorbing migrant worke s in post-disaster reconstruction can actually be a good thing (kp 28/07/2016)

Migration falls to its lowest in four years, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 25/07/2016)

18pc lost regular income source after quakes (ht 20/07/2016)

Report unveiled on labour trend abroad (kp 18/07/2016)

Far from home and hearth: Many things need to be changed to ensure the rights and dignity of labour migrants, by Bhawana Pokhrel (kp 12/07/2016), Risky business: The govt should bring in a concrete plan to address the security concerns of Nepalis working in high-risk countries, by Motikala Subba Dewan (kp 13/07/2016)

Unemployment blues: Around 70 percent Nepalis are engaged in agriculture; But since most of it is primitive, youths are not attracted, by David Kainee (rep 05/07/2016)

Minister says recruiting firms fleecing workers (kp 04/07/2016)

Foreign lives, Nepali bodies: It is a shame that Nepal has not signed any of the treaties relevant to migrant workers, by Deepak Thapa (kp 30/06/2016)

A national debate: It is unrealistic to say that Nepali youths should not go abroad to work, but some things need to change, by Abhi Subedi (kp 26/06/2016), The Nepali labour sector is going in a sad and wrong direction, interview with Ganesh Gurung (kp 27/06/2016)

Rights groups against age limit for women migrant workers: Only those women who are 24 years and above are allowed to go to Gulf countries for employment (kp 25/06/2016), NOC may be necessary for workers flying out via SLanka (kp 26/06/2016)

Kabul incident a grim reminder: At least 10,000 Nepali migrants have died on foreign soil since 2000, over 5,000 in the last five years, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 24/06/2016)

Officials hint at ban on working in Afghanistan, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 22/06/2016)

Flow of Malaysia returnees on rise (kp 18/06/2016)

Give migrants their due: The least the government could do is make migration a pleasant experience, at least while departing and arriving, by Deepak Thapa (kp 16/06/2016)

Female migrant Nepalis taking up jobs outside domestic confines, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 05/06/2016)

What’s causing the delay in signing BLA? (ht 03/06/2016)

'Vegetable farming better than foreign employment', by Nagendra Upadhyay (rep 23/05/2016)

A leap of faith: The obvious dangers of migrating to countries ravaged by war have not stopped Nepali women from seeking employment in Iraq, Syria and beyond, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 21/05/2016)

App for migrant workers launched (rep 19/05/2016)

Ban on women going for domestic jobs lifted: Women aged 24 and above will now be able to take up domestic jobs in the Gulf and Malaysia with help of selected recruiting firms (kp 13/05/2016), Nursing moms banned from work as domestics, by Shreejana Shrestha (ht 14/05/2016)

Staying home: The number of Nepalis going to work in Malaysia and the Gulf showed a drastic drop this year, by Sonia Awale (nt 13/05/2016)

Illegal, ill-treated: Nepali workers are unlawfully forced to become ‘illegal’ by unscrupulous employers, recruiters and the government, by Om Astha Rai (rep 13/05/2016)

Work permits to be renewed from destination countries (rep 13/05/2016)

Wasting talents: Lack of professional diversity can have adverse consequences on Nepal’s society and economy, by Marleen Heuer (kp 08/05/2016)

Number of Nepali foreign job-seekers on the decline: Govt unsure of the reason for the drop, manpower agencies blame free visa, free ticket provision, by Subodh Dahal (ht 07/05/2016)

MPCD helping rescue stranded migrant workers (ht 06/05/2016)

Karnali Employment Program fails in Jumla, by DB Budha (rep 05/05/2016)

Free-visa, free-ticket: Govt didn’t consider all formal and informal institutions active in the migration process while formulating the policy, by Himalaya Kharel, Mohammad Ayub and Bandita Sijapati (kp 02/05/2016)

Fewer Nepalis keen to take up overseas jobs: ‘Growing work opportunities at home main reason’, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 01/05/2016)

‘Recognise work in informal sector’ (kp 01/05/2016)

Youths begin fast for job security: Article 33 of the constitution states that every citizen shall have the right to employment with provisions for unemployment benefits (kp 01/05/2016)

Employment in Korea: Applicants face tough job odds (kp 29/04/2016)

‘Tap tourism potential for job creation’ (ht 26/04/2016)

Manpower firms seek ‘moderate’ hike in service fee (ht 22/04/2016)

Migration causes labour shortage in Parsa-Bara, by Shankar Acharya (kp 19/04/2016)

Hiring through outsourcing firms: House panel: Ensure minimum wage, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 15/04/2016)

Govt, manpower firms still at loggerheads (ht 06/04/2016), Volte-face: Free-visa-free-ticket issue should address the costs of all the aspects of recruitment (kp 07/04/2016), Govt mulling options without nulling policy (kp 08/04/2016)

Govt U-turn feared on cost-free foreign jobs: Recruiting firms ask for 45 days’ salary from workers in processing fees, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 04/04/2016)

NAFEA ‘to press govt’ for recruitment fee revision: Free-visa-free-ticket is a low cost recruitment scheme introduced to end exploitation of prospective migrants (kp 03/04/2016), Manpower firms to sit for talks today: Labour ministry may decide to roll back free visa, free ticket provision, by Pushpa Raj Acharya (ht 03/04/2016)

Changing times: Majority of jobs that our folks have been doing on foreign soil will soon be performed by robots, by Manish Pokharel and Bimal Pratap Shah (kp 03/04/2016)

Amnesty International paints a bleak picture of Nepalis in Qatar, by Lekhanath Pandey (ht 01/04/2016)

Few rights, little freedom and meagre pay: Law for house workers has been amended, but Nepal is yet to ratify ILO C89 Convention, by Pratichya Dulal (kp 30/03/2016)

Recruiting agencies urged to resume stalled services (kp 30/03/2016), Manpower firms to resume operations partially from today (ht 31/03/2016), NAFEA lifts restrictions ‘partially’ (kp 01/04/2016)

Plan afoot to help out kin of migrants: Families of those who die at work to get Rs500,000 in compensation, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 27/03/2016)

NAFEA demands abolition of free visa, free ticket system: 19-day long strike has barred around 50,000 people from flying abroad for employment (rep 26/03/2016)

MoLE to review foreign employment laws (ht 21/03/2016)

NAFEA asks agencies to uphold strike (kp 15/03/2016)

‘Better governance couldsolve migrants’ woes’ (ht 15/03/2016)

Villagers turn to micro-business giving up foreign dreams, by Bipulendra Adhikari (rep 14/03/2016)

Recruiting agencies ‘defying’ NAFEA by obtaining permits: Sources at the Department of Foreign Employment  say they have acquired 2,804 work permits since the day NAFEA went into strike on March (kp 13/03/2016)

Few jobs for visually impaired: Nepal Blind Association says out of around 100,000 visually impaired women in the country only 134 are employed, by Pratichya Dulal (kp 12/03/2016), Breaking the sound barrier: Agents of change from the deaf and hard of hearing community are forging new opportunities for themselves in a tone-deaf society, by Kripa Shrestha (kp 11/03/2016)

Drought leads to male exodus (ht 11/03/2016)

Migrant Resource Centre in operation after years (kp 10/03/2016)

Foreign job-aspirants hit by closure of manpower agencies, by Pushpa Raj Koirala (rep 10/03/2016)

Kin of migrants who died in Nepal to get compensation, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 09/03/2016)

NAFEA to shut up shop from today (kp 06/03/2016)

Migration and development: Migrants are individuals with rights, not ‘agents’ or ‘tools’ for economic growth or poverty reduction, by Bandita Sijapati (kp 04/03/2016)

NAFEA members submit memo to labour minister: Recruitment agencies keep licences with themselves a day after threatening to return them to government (kp 02/03/2016)

NAFEA threatens to return licences en masse: Recruitment agencies say they are ready to help the government but service charge must be increased (kp 01/03/2016)

Valley police raid manpower agencies, arrest eight suspects: Certain manpower agencies have been forcing migrant workers into unpleasant jobs (ht 25/02/2016), Manpower agencies protest against ‘uninformed raids’: Shut offices decrying what they call ‘police raj’; service seekers affected (kp 26/02/2016), Foreign employment agencies warn retaliation, by Shreejana Shrestha (rep 26/02/2016)

Malaysia visa processing: Officials put through wringer over VLN Nepal (kp 23/02/2016)

Missing migrants: Lack of data to understand migration process is hurting policies governing labour migrants, by Samik Adhikari (kp 23/02/2016)

Learn to earn: More Nepali overseas workers want to acquire skills before they go abroad, by Om Astha Rai (nt 19/02/2016), Young, educated and unemployed: Youth unemployment among university graduates in Nepal is three times higher than among those without education, by Sangita Thebe Limbu (nt 19/02/2016)

Our remit: Until it is possible to create jobs for them at home, make it as easy as possible for Nepali migrant workers to earn more overseas (nt 19/02/2016)

NAFEA set to launch another round of strike (kp 12/02/2016)

Nepal to host regional conference to protect migrants’ rights (kp 08/02/2016)

Govt mulls system for accreditation of academic qualification (ht 06/02/2016)

NAFEA threatens to stop sending migrants abroad (kp 04/02/2016)

Women continue to fall prey to lure of foreign jobs, by Raju Adhikari (rep 02/02/2016)

Worker outflow shrinks by 22.49pc (ht 30/01/2016)

Flawed agency relationship: Increase in remittance has for now partly solved the issues of employment and balance of payment, by Prakash Chandra Lohani (kp 29/01/2016)

Recruiting agencies telling twisted tale? Govt figures contradict what lobbyists say about Nepali migrant workers, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 14/01/2016)

Show you care: More needs to be done to protect migrant workers who keep Nepal’s economy afloat (kp 12/01/2016)

Jobless southerners take to smuggling gasoline, by Abdesh Kumar Jha (kp 07/01/2016)

Unbearable Pain, by Hira Bahadur Thapa (rn 30/12/2015)

Overseas labour migration drops 22.59 per cent (ht 23/12/2015)

Migrants in trouble: Doing away with anomalies, by Shobhakar Parajuli (kp 08/12/2015)

Free taining to benefit 10,000 migrants (kp 27/11/2015)

Unhelpful move for domestic help: Govt set to open Gulf, Malaysia for Nepali housemaids, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 08/11/2015)

Overstay threatens South Korean jobs for Nepali worker, by Santosh Pokhrel (rep 07/11/2015)

Qatar is reforming labour laws, but is Nepal? Nepal first needs to reform its own laws to protect Nepali migrant workers in the Gulf, by Om Astha Rai (nt 06/11/2015), Working away from home: One in every five people in Doha is a Nepali migrant worker, by Pattabi Raman (nt 06/11/2015)

Nepali migrants: In search of better opportunities, by Shobhakar Parajuli (ht 02/11/2015)

The greener grass on the other side, by Weena Pun (kp 31/10/2015)

The long view: Nepalis are leaving the country because it does not have a favourable environment for work, by Sujeev Shakya (kp 27/10/2015)

More than 8,000 pass Korean language test, by Devendra Sambahamphe (kp 09/10/2015)

Earthquake-displaced get job demolishing buildings, by Harihar Singh Rathaur (kp 06/10/2015)

Job market data paints a worrying picture: Problem of labour underutilisation high among literate, rich, urban population (ht 23/09/2015)

New constitution: 'Jobless allowance’ removed from draft (kp 17/09/2015)

FEPB plans more support for migrant workers, by Ramesh Shrestha (ht 16/09/2015)

More foreigners seeking permit to work in Nepal, by Ramesh Shrestha (ht 28/08/2015)

Employment in South Korea: Nepali migrants to benefit from new Korea guidelines, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 19/08/2015)

Race to the bottom: Unemployment creation, honouring the worst (nt 14/08/2015)

Migrant departures down by 2.9pc (kp 09/08/2015)

M’sia, Gulf ready to hire workers under new rule (kp 07/08/2015)

Nepali workers top Tibetans’ wantlist, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 04/08/2015)

Foreign job fraud cases increase (ht 02/08/2015)

90,000 not eligible for free visa, ticket, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 27/07/2015), Manpower agents end strike after 31-point deal with government, by Ramesh Shrestha (ht 27/07/2015), Workers flay govt-NAFEA deal (kp 28/07/2015), NAFEA divided
over new govt regulations (kp 31/07/2015)

113,000 new jobs to be created this fiscal year (kp 27/07/2015)

Not just a ticket: Without imparting skills to migrant workers, the free visa policy will only generate unproductive remittances, by Himalaya Kharel (24/07/2015)

Out of work: Allowance to the unemployed cannot be a long term solution for joblessness (kp 24/07/2015)

Seasonal workers throng Chitwan as locals opt for foreign jobs, by Pawan Yadav and Bechu Gaud (kp 19/07/2015)

Number of migrants leaving for foreign jobs on the decline, by Ramesh Shrestha (ht 19/07/2015)

Employment in Malaysia: Govt set to allow biometric system, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 17/07/2015)

Govt plans to enforce work permit rule: Hiring of foreign workers without legal process causing losses in millions (ht 17/07/2015)

‘Fraudulent activities widespread’ (kp 09/07/2015)

Foreign employment firms to stop sending workers: Say labor demand will be diverted to other countries, by Sagar Ghimire (rep 08/07/2015), Recruiting agencies start indefinite strike (kp 09/07/2015), Free visa and ticket row: Manpower agencies launch protest, demand high-level commission to study the new provision; State minister for labour and employment says government won’t give into pressure (ht 09/07/2015), Our business more important than workers: Agencies, by Shreejana Shrestha (rep 09/07/2015), Govt decision to waive visa fee, airfare gets vote of confidence from workers: The provision, if strictly enforced, would benefit some 3.5 million Nepalis working in Gulf states and Malaysia, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 10/07/2015), Who is against zero-cost migration and why? Labour recruiters are protesting their right to keep on cheating poor Nepali migrant workers, by Om Astha Rai (nt 10/07/2015), Recruiting agencies continue strike; govt not to back down, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 15/07/2015), ‘Strike of recruiting agencies untenable’ (kp 16/07/2015), Govt, manpower agencies talks end inconclusively (ht 18/07/2015), Provision to be enlisted in labour pacts (kp 20/07/2015), ‘Suspend new provision until labour agreement’: Foreign employment agencies want free visa, ticket provision halted (kp 20/07/2015), Govt, manpower companies refuse to budge: Row related to free visa and ticket provision hits foreign employment sector hard (ht 23/07/2015), Recruiting firms to resume service, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 26/07/2015), Recruitment agencies’ protest labelled ‘sham’ (kp 26/07/2015)

New provision comes into effect: DoFE expects it will take two weeks to send workers under ‘free visa and ticket’ facility (ht 07/07/2015)

NAFEA’s 23rd AGM today (ht 02/07/2015)

Demand for Nepalis workers may decrease in Malaysia, by Ram Chandra Giri and Roshan Sedhai (kp 27/06/2015)

Number of workers going abroad rises gradually (ht 26/06/2015)

MoLE enforces new provision for migrants: Job-seekers eyeing seven labour destinations to be able to go at zero cost from July 6 (ht 25/06/2015), NAFEA to protest free visa, ticket provision (kp 28/06/2015), Recruiting agencies stage protests (kp 29/06/2015), House panel hails MoLE’s new provision: Says free visa and ticket rules should be implemented for countries that have signed labour agreement (ht 30/06/2015)

Reconstruction phase can offer alternative to foreign employment, by Sujan Dhungana (rep 25/06/2015)

Plight of Nepalis in Malaysia: Migrants systematically rendered 'undocumented', by Kosh Raj Rai (rep 24/06/2015)

New Agenda For Donor Conference: Making Migration Free For Nepalese, by Lok Nath Bhusal (rn 23/06/2015)

Road to recovery: Japan and Korea can jhelp by increasing their quotas for Nepali migrant workers, by Birat Anupam (rep 22/06/2015)

‘Decision to regulate labour outflow not well-thought-out plan’ (kp 17/06/2015)

Government gearing up to send workers as domestic help (ht 16/06/2015)

Govt to introduce new rules for manpower agencies: Initial cost of job-seekers to seven labour destinations to come down drastically, by Pushpa Raj Acharya (ht 13/06/2015), Free ticket, visa for seven labor destinations, by Shreejana Shrestha (rep 13/06/2015)

No approval unless migrants get free visa, ticket: Govt, by Roshan Sedai (kp 05/06/2015)

Guaranteeing Constitutional Right To Employment, by Lok Nath Bhusal (rn 05/06/2015)

Labour shortage hits businesses, by Ramesh Shrestha (ht 05/06/2015)

Orientation for outbound workers outside Valley too: Applications sought from firms to run training schools in nine districts (ht 02/06/2015)

Labour shortage: Capital grapples with soaring costs, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 28/05/2015), Create jobs within: The government also needs to be clear about several aspects of its financial assistance plan for the victims (ht 28/05/2015)

Number of foreign job-seekers nearly halved, by Ramesh Shrestha (ht 27/05/2015), Nepali migrant workers: Around 4,000 returning home daily after quakes (kp 28/05/2015)

Earthquake rattles foreign employment sector, by Ramesh Shrestha (ht 05/05/2015)

Number of people leaving for foreign jobs up 16.66pc (ht 25/04/2015)

Outbound female domestic help: Govt set to revise restrictions on age, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 24/04/2015)

Law requires domestics to be produced at Nepal missions every 4 months, by Shreejana Shrestha (rep 24/04/2015)

Govt preparing send workers to Malaysia free of cost, by Shreejana Shrestha (rep 21/04/2015), Govt in ambitious bid
to safeguard workers: Two-pronged strategy: Improve workers’ conditions or stop sending them there (kp 22/04/2015)

Preps to send Nepali workers to Israel: Ministry to table proposal soon (kp 19/04/2015)

Nepal’s labour black-market: Greed of a few recruiting agencies and top bureaucrats has landed many Nepalis in trouble at work destinations, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 14/04/2015), ‘Weak regulation fuel fraud cases’ (kp 14/04/2015)

Ministry to increase guarantee amount posted by agencies, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 12/04/2015)

Middle men muddy the waters, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 11/04/2015)

Zero cost migration, really?, by Om Astha Rai (nt 10/04/2015), Belabouring the obvious (nt 10/04/2015)

Housemaids in M'sia, gulf: Nepali missions against lifting employment ban on women, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 03/04/2015)

Nepal tourism generated 487k direct jobs in 2014 (kp 01/04/2015)

Domestic jobs abroad: Women continue to fall prey to traffickers, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 31/03/2015)

At least two Nepalis die abroad daily, by Ramesh Shrestha (kp 27/03/2015), Call to make post-mortem mandatory, by Ramesh Shrestha (ht 28/03/2016)

Educated and unemployed: More women are pursuing education degrees, but it will be difficult to gainfully engage them in work, by Deepak Thapa (kp 26/03/2015)

Relief fund for stranded illegal migrants in offing (ht 24/03/2015)

Govt to establish Labour Dept branches outside Kathmandu, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 22/03/2015)

Govt unveils umbrella employment policy (ht 22/03/2015)

Youths call for transparent use of workers’ welfare fund (kp 19/03/2015)

Eight foreign job-seekers duped every day (ht 19/03/2015)

Agents add to Nepali migrants’ expenses, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 15/03/2015)

‘Janajatis more prone to foreign job fraud’ (kp 10/03/2015)

Easing the passage: Even as hundreds of Nepali men continue to take out loans for foreign employment at exorbitant interest rates, the government is yet to come up with a scheme to stop the trend, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 07/03/2015)

Unemployment: A Perennial Problem, by Krishna Prasad Acharya (rn 05/03/2015)

Recruitment firms resist regulation on transparency, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 01/03/2015)

Stakeholders stress on creating jobs at home: Say lack of opportunities forcing youths to fly abroad (kp 01/03/2015)

NAFEA directed to form new exec body (kp 27/02/2015)

Migrant worker welfare: Govt works to double insurance, relief pays, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 22/02/2015)

NAFEA members quit in protest of ‘power abuse’ (kp 15/02/2015)

All about the attitude: The Nepali government has already created workplace policies that should help women in the workplace; But unless the men who run organisations willingly implement them, working women will continue to be treated unfairly, by Chahana Sigdel (kp 14/02/2015)

Online measure to monitor pre-departure orientation (kp 13/02/2015)

Plans to establish labour bank in limbo (ht 13/02/2015)

NAFEA excom members plan to resign en masse (kp 12/02/2015)

Govt raises medical fees for migrant workers (kp 08/02/2015)

Action sought against bio-med test providers, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 05/02/2015)

Bank transaction must for foreign job agencies, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 04/02/2015)

Thousands apply at PSC for govt jobs as deadline nears (ht 02/02/2015), Applicants want PSC exams decentralised, by Gaurav Thapa (kp 04/02/2015)

Flawed narrative: Poverty and lack of economic opportunities has meant that Nepal is rapidly losing its working-age population to oberseas, by Mukesh Khanal (rep 02/01/2015)

Foreign job seekers increase: Number of people looking for employment abroad up 20pc (ht 01/02/2015), Outward bound (ht)

Unfulfilled promises: Dreams shattered and neck deep in debt, families of migrant workers who die abroad struggle to get by, by Debendra Basnet (rep 28/01/2015), Scholarships for children of deceased migrant workers in offing (rep 28/01/2015)

Youths departing for foreign jobs swindled (ht 27/01/2015)

DoFE directs manpower companies to use banking channel to collect fees (ht 22/01/2015)

Malaysia enforces bio-metric system for migrant labor: Recruiting firms threaten to stop processing Malaysia-bound workers, by Sagar Ghimire (rep 19/01/2015), Nepali migrants to Malaysia: Biometric screening is a go (kp 22/01/2015), Malaysia confirms implementation of biometric health test: Irate manpower agencies form joint struggle committee to put pressure on government, by Ramesh Shrestha (ht 24/01/2015), Foreign job firms against biometric health screening (kp 25/01/2015), CA panel instruction to halt biometric screening (kp 29/01/2015)

Foreign employment: Govt’s 7-day ultimatum to agencies, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 18/01/2015), DoFE asks manpower agencies to submit details by Friday: Those that fail to comply will face legal action (ht 18/01/2015)

83pc of economically inactive people literate (ht 16/01/2015)

Evaluation mechanism for labour markets in offing: Only countries securing 60 marks to be listed as eligible destinations, by Ramesh Shrestha (ht 15/01/2015)

Govt preparing to lower ceiling on recruitment fees, by Sagar Ghimire (rep 15/01/2015)

Committee to identify five new labour destinations (ht 12/01/2015), Govt working to send Nepali workers to Japan, by Shreejana Shrestha (rep 12/01/2015)

Employment rate in Valley highest in Bhaktapur: Latest CBS report shows 22.25 per cent of employed population are engaged in retail, wholesale trade (ht 10/01/2015)

No country for women: Despite a ban, women migrant workers come back from the Gulf in the thousands with harrowing tales of economic and physical exploitation, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 09/01/2015)

Why so many deaths? Without documented causes of death, there is a lot of speculation to identify the reasons for the high rates of death among Nepali migrant workers, by Buddha Basnyat (nt 09/01/2015)

46 pc people of working age group ‘economically inactive’, by Rupak D. Sharma (ht 09/01/2015)

Retaining youths: Population dividend has remained just a dream in Nepal as the nation faces an acute shortage of manpower, by Shreejana Shrestha (rep 07/01/2015)

More Nepalis vie for 3rd-country jobs: Charm of seasonal labour market in India gives way to more stable, better paying works (kp 07/01/2015)

Loan-ly ride: From the moment they leave home and throughout their stay abroad they cannot think of beyond paying back loan, by Ravi Lochan Paudyal (rep 03/01/2015)

Foreign employment: 262 women go missing in a year (kp 02/01/2015)

Labour sector reforms afoot: Government takes numerous initiatives to organise migration (ht 01/01/2015)

Rights of migrant workers: Broader coordination stressed to prevent labour exploitation (kp 30/12/2014)

Foreign employment fraud up 14.83 pc, by Ramesh Shrestha (ht 29/12/2014)

Departure of migrant workers up 24% (rep 25/12/2014)

Manpower agencies defy govt direction (ht 24/12/2014)

Migration blues: Nepali migrant workers routinely undergo physical, mental and sexual harasssment and often work for extremely low salaries, by Rebanta Bahadur K.C. (rep 24/12/2014)

Experts call for reducing social cost of migration (rep 22/12/2014)

Profile of recruiting agencies: Dept turns deaf ear to House panel order (kp 21/12/2014)

Migration gains: Migration has been an alternative livelihood opportunity for many Nepali households, by Moheindu Chemjong (rep 20/12/2014)

A great coming storm: Complex social conflicts loom, unless Nepal creates jobs for returning migrants from India and overseas, by Kanak Mani Dixit (kp 19/12/2014)

Jobs in Gulf, Malaysia: Govt to lower migrant woman age bar to 25, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 19/12/2014) [including reports on other rape cases]

Govt sticks to conditions for sending domestic workers, by Shreejana Shrestha (rep 18/12/2014)

Female migrant domestiv workers: Govt may lift ban, on safety condition, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 05/12/2014)

Countries have to sign MoU to get Nepali ‘help’, by Ramesh Shrestha (ht 04/12/2014)

Overworked and underpaid: Stakeholders urge government to take initiative to ensure minimum wages for workers, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 04/12/2014)

Workers without frontier, working sans safety net, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 27/11/2014)

IRLC investigating manpower agencies (ht 21/11/2014)

Government plans to explore new labour destinations (ht 20/11/2014)

Cabinet nod sought for Labour Bank, by Ramesh Shrestha (kp 18/11/2014)

Money to work: National policies and plans must acknowledge the relationship between migration and climate change adaptation, by Soumyadeep Banerjee and Meena Poudel (rep 15/11/2014)

MRP delay costing migrant workers lucrative jobs, by Ritesh Tripathi (rep 13/11/2014)

Regulating manpower agencies: Recruitment fees through banking channel only: Panel (kp 10/11/2014), Recruitment fees to manpower firms only through banks soon, by Sagar Ghimire (rep 10/11/2014), Labour Ministry told to profile manpower firms, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 12/11/2014)

Call for labour pact in job destinations: Nepal pressed to allow female domestic helps, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 09/11/2014)

Challenges Before Labor Migration, by Jacqueline Groth (sp 07/11/2014), Labour Migration: There is no guarantee that they will find work. In many cases, they find themselves largely deprived of basic rights, by Jacqueline Groth (sp 21/11/2014)

Malaysia and Gulf nations hiring more Nepalis: Number of outbound workers rise by 33 per cent to 129,410 (ht 04/11/2014)

Not easy: I have seen unemployed Nepoalis spending nights in poarks and under bridges and begging in the streets of Europe and the US, by Neelam Adhikari (rep 01/11/2014)

Overseas employment: Finding new frontiers, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 31/10/2014)

Jobs in little-known countries luring Nepalis, by Ramesh Shrestha (ht 29/10/2014)

Foreign jobs: Vocation training goes a long way, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 28/10/2014), No solution in prohibition: Instead of restricting women workers from visiting the Middle East, the government should be focusing on their safety and job security, by Nirmala Adhikari (kp 28/10/2014), Overcoming shortcomings in migrant labour industry, by Chahana Sigdel (kp 28/10/2014)

Hire lawyers in labour receiving nations, govt told (kp 23/10/2014)

Nepali women still going to Iraq despite govt ban: Four turned back from TIA, by Kamal Pariyar (rep 23/10/2014)

Stories of pain: Many Nepali workers are forced to work like slaves; They are not paid for months, their salaries retained and passports confiscated, by Hari Bansh Jha (rep 22/10/2014)

Over half of migrant workers from Tarai: However, hill districts account for the majority of the women leaving Nepal for foreign employment, government report shows, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 19/10/2014)

More women join labour force as men go abroad, by Binod Bhandari (kp 15/10/2014)

Foreign job seekers in the lurcH: General education consultancy swindles Rs 5 million, by Chandi Raj Dahal (ht 19/09/2014)

Foreign employment: Govt to double pay for dead, injured, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 14/09/2014)

A daily living, by Anup Ojha (kp 13/09/2014)

No bar to work in war-torn countries: Around 3,000 youths have left for war-hit nations of Asia and Africa in past six months; Nearly 2,000 permits issued for Afghanistan, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 08/09/2014)

Suicide rate among Nepali migrants up: 94 workers took their own lives in last fiscal, compared to 81 the year before, by Ramesh Shrestha (ht 04/09/2014)

Govt to enforce old decision: MoLE prepares to impose complete ban on Nepali women leaving for Gulf countries to work as domestic helpers (ht 02/09/2014)

Creating jobs at home: Experts advise government and policymakers to stop being deluded with fleeting success of remittance and provide employment opportunities for its youth inside the country, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 02/09/2014), Doing it right: Government should provide job-specific training to workers and take responsibility of their security (kp 02/09/2014), Government plans to make labour importing countries more responsible, interview with Tek Bahadur Gurung (kp 02/09/2014)

Assuming fake identity: Women aspiring for work abroad are forced to accept forged passport by employment agents - thanks to flawed labor law, by Shreejana Shrestha (rep 01/09/2014)

Frequent changes of chief affecting DoFE services, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 30/08/2014)

Look Before You Leap, by Hira Bahadur Thapa (kp 27/08/2014)

Govt should consult us before signing deal with Malaysia: NAFEA (rep 27/08/2014)

Every six tourists create one job in Nepal: Study, by Sangam Prasain (kp 22/08/2014)

No country for young: Promises of employment alone will not suffice to keep Nepalis from leaving (kp 15/08/2014)

Korean language test: EPS receives over 19,000 applications on day one, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 14/08/2014), Korean jobs aspirants face cops’ wrath, by Ramesh Shrestha (ht 14/08/2014), Applications swamp EPS: Number of applications estimated to cross 55,000 this year, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 15/08/2014), More than 40,000 apply for EPS jobs (ht 15/08/2014)

Foreign work permits from Soalteemode (kp 13/08/2014)

Jan limit for work permit on old PPs, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 11/08/2014)

Run for employment campaign organised (ht 10/08/2014)

The final straw: Centralized medical test systrem adds financial burden to aspiring migrant workers, by Shreejana Shrestha (rep 10/08/2014)

Tarai regions top charts in worker migration (ht 08/08/2014)

Govt denies FEPB funds for Nepalis stuck in Libya, by Shreejana Shrestha (rep 07/08/2014)

Curbing fraud recruitment firms: Signing contract before govt official to be mandatory, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 01/08/2014)

Number of Nepali migrant workers up 16pc (ht 31/07/2014)

80k jobs to be created in small businesses, by Rajesh Khanal (kp 30/07/2014)

Govt prepares to lift Gulf ban for female workers, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 28/07/2014), More harm than good: Ban on women migrating to the Gulf for domestic work must definitely be lifted (kp 29/07/2014)

A neglected lot: Even as remittance becomes the mainstay of economy, migrant workers struggle for justice back home, by Shreejana Shrestha (rep 20/07/2014)

Blood, sweat and tears: ‘The vulnerability of Nepali migrant workers to exploitation abroad is heightened by routine misconduct within Nepal’, by Damakant Jayshi (nt 18/07/2014)

55 recruitment cos banned to send workers to Qatar, by Hom Karki (kp 17/07/2014)

Manufacturing jobs increase 14.8pc in 6 years, says CBS (kp 09/07/2014)

Remittance management: Labour bank to reduce forced migration, by Weena Pun (kp 07/07/2014), Mapping migrants: Nepal must capitalise on the skills andresources of its professional diaspora (kp 08/07/2014)

Manufacturing units’ reliance on foreign workers grows (ht 28/06/2014)

Youths glad at Qatar airport job openings sans middlemen, by Shreejana Shrestha (/rep 28/06/2014)

When seeking redress, migrants prefer violence: Trust in justice system is very low, by Weena Pun (kp 25/06/2014)

Nepali workers’ departure surpasses annual records (ht 24/06/2014)

Nepali migrant workers’ woes: A fresh approach is needed, by Vikash Raj Satyal (kp 17/06/2014)

NSU demands jobs, loan for one lakh youths (ht 16/06/2014)

Chasing mirage: The number of migrant workers is increasinf; This poses serious challenges for the country, by Shristi Kafle (rep 14/06/2014)

Migrant workers lack access to justice: Report (ht 12/06/2014), Lax law to blame for migrant woes: Report (kp 13/06/2014)

'Rratify UN convention on migrant worker rights': DoFE not enforcing contractual rights, oblicagtions (rep 11/06/2014)

Foreign employment fraud on rise (ht 01/06/2014)

Lack of opportunities: Rising jobless youth, by Lekker de Jong (ht 30/05/2014), Call to retain foreign-bound workers (kp 31/05/2014)

From Katari to Qatar:Beset by political troubles, the Nepali state, both directly and indirectly, has forced its citizens to migrate, by Sanjay Sharma (kp 30/05/2014)

Who benefits from jobs generated by foreign investment?, by Rudra Pangeni /rep 16/05/2014)

72 workers die each month in foreign employment (nn 16/05/2014)

Foreign Employment: Is It Sustainable?, by Krishna Prasad Acharya (rn 13/05/2014)

Most migrants die due to cardiac arrest (ht 13/05/2014)

Around half a million migrant workers leave Nepal annually: Govt (nn 12/05/2014)

Foreign migrants lack training: Orientation centres found ‘selling’certificates to workers, by Ramesh Shrestha (ht 08/05/2014)

Women migrant workers flying to Gulf via India to skirt age limit rule, by Shreejana Shrestha (rep 04/05/2014)

Youths still under unemployment spell: ILO report (kp 30/04/2014), Govt has to play role of facilitator for Nepali youth: ILO (ht 30/04/2014)

Agencies providing orientation to migrant workers required to furnish details online, by Sreejana Shrestha (rep 23/04/2014)

Foreign jobs dept plans database of migrant workers: Bid to discourage fake certificates (kp 21/04/2014)

2 migrant workers dying abroad per day, by Shreejana Shrestha (rep 20/04/2014), Nepali migrant workers dying at higher rate, by Shreejana Shrestha (rep 22/04/2014)

The long wait to bid final farewell: Families of deceased Nepali migrant workers wait for months, even years, to receive bodies of loved ones, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 19/04/2014)

Hard choice: Women workers abroad (rep 17/04/2014)

Plight of undocumented Nepali migrants, by Subarna Poudel (ht 16/04/2014)

Work begins for all-in-one foreign employment services, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 14/04/2014)

Nepal to ink labor accord with three countries soon (rep 13/04/2014)

Half dozen candidates eye top NAFEA post: NAFEA, the umbrella organisation of recruitment companies, is holding the election on April 26 (kp 06/04/2014)

DoFE shifting to a bigger, better location (ht 03/04/2014)

After SLC, students go to India for job (kp 03/04/2014)

Misuse of migrant workers’ welfare fund goes rampant, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 30/03/2014)

Agents visit villages to send youths abroad, by Thakur Singh Tharu (kp 27/03/2014)

Gov penalizes 44 manpower companies, by Sagar Ghimire (rep 26/03/2014)

Board to get chief in ‘two weeks’ (kp 25/03/2014)

Govt’s work permit plan for foreigners ineffective, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 24/03/2014)

Udayapur youth turn to self-employment, by Sanjeev Giri (kp 23/03/2014)

Cases filed at DoFE against manpower agencies up 32pc (ht 20/03/2014)

Youth fund plans to raise loan limit to Rs 500k (kp 20/03/2014)

Fund piles up, govt lacks plans for migrants’ care, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 19/03/2014), Two years on, Board without executive (kp 19/03/2014)

Majority of foreign job migrants from Dhanusha district (ht 18/03/2014)

No work permit without MRP from May 15, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 16/03/2014)

Bid to control high death rate of Nepali workers abroad (ht 16/03/2014$)

Except India: The lack of representation and self-definition for Nepali workers in India needs to be rectified, by Devendra Bhattarai (kp 16/03/2014)

Duped and grounded in Delhi in bid to fly abroad: India becoming an alternative route for Nepali foreign job aspirants, by Devendra Bhattarai (kp 14/03/2014)

Stop it: Absence of effective policies and programs contributes the most to the great exodus, by Som Bhandari (rep 13/03/2014)

Govt misused migrant workers’ fund, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 13/03/2014)

Permits for new manpower agencies only after 2 years (kp 13/03/2014)

Illegally run manpower agencies shut (kp 09/03/2014)

42 agencies face action, 8 licences scrapped, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 05/03/2014)

Progress on ‘De Pogo’ (ht 04/03/2014)

Make details of policy buyers online: DoFE, by Sagar Ghimire (rep 03/03/2014)

DoFE padlocks five manpower offices in eastern region (ht 28/02/2014)

Migration as metaphor: Power relations are inherent in any experience of migration, by Pranaya SJB Rana (kp 26/02/2014)

DoFE set to launch ‘Mobile’ campaign (ht 24/02/2014)

DoFE scraps license of 8 manpower agencies (rep 20/02/2014)

On the move: Nepal, as a traditional labour exporter, should work harder to protect migrant rights, by Gopal Krishna Siwakoti (kp 19/02/2014)

DoFE gears for major overhaul (ht 18/02/2014)

DoFE to open Malaysia Section at Babarmahal in near future (ht 15/02/2014)

Ensuring safe migration: Government planning to bring various procedural reforms to help overseas labourers (kp 13/02/2014), Call for concerted efforts to stop female labour exploitation (kp 13/02/2014)

Nepal lumbered in ‘jobless growth’ from 2000 to 2012 (ht 13/02/2014), 550k Nepali youths enter job market every year: UNCTAD (rep 13/02/2014), Very critical (ht 14/02/2014), More jobs for youth needed: UNCTAD (kp 15/02/2014)

Job creation critical for durable economic progress in Nepal: Report (nn 12/02/2014)

62 miss flight due to negligence of labor desk, by Kriti Bhuju (rep 11/02/2014)

Over 80 officials, hiring agents face charge: Probe sees role of immigration officers, duty officers at airport desk and manpower agency owners in fraud, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 10/02/2014)

Migrant workers: A story of opportunities and challenges, by Nitya Pandey (rep 07/02/2014)

People falling prey to ‘unauthorised’ individual manpower agents (ht 04/02/2014)

Specific services for foreign jobs in a week, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 02/02/2014)

DoFE staff accused of issuing permits illegally (kp 30/01/2014)

Lack of separate pact: Domestic help: The plight continues, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 28/01/2014)

Fraudulent counselling firms for migrant workers penalised, by Roshan Sedhai (kp 23/01/2014)

Addressing the youth bulge: What Nepal can do, by Raj Kumar Baral (ht 22/01/2014)

Most cases filed at DoFE not genuine (ht 22/01/2014)

For some electric crematorium means job loss, by Pratibha Rawal (rep 21/01/2014)