Experts and outsourcing agencies believe that there are 3.5 million Nepalis abroad but Department of Foreign Employment has a record of only 1.96 million, exact number will be known after July 17-27 as the census will give a clear picture of migrant workers.

Overseas job record of women migrant workers is even poor. Only two per cent of 1,44,000 estimated women migrant workers is in the government record.

Central Bureau of Statistics has included questions regarding foreign employment for the first time in Nepali census history.

Earlier, Labour Force Survey was the source of reliable data to estimate Nepalis migration to overseas jobs. According to Labour Force Survey 2008, around 30 per cent of 5.6 households depend on remittance from overseas jobs. However, Central Bureau of Statistics data lack the actual number of Nepalis abroad, including host countries, gender and route of departure. Census 2011 will provide reliable data of foreign employment status, said Executive Director of Foreign Employment Promotion Board Sthaneshwor Devkota.

“After the census we will have exact data on total number of migrant workers in gender, distribution in host countries, Nepalis in banned or unopened countries and their income status,” he said. “We are launching awareness campaign in the districts to get the exact number.”

Published on: 23 May 2011 | The Himalayan Times