The number of Nepali workers leaving for overseas jobs increased by a whopping 27.23 per cent during the period mid-July to mid-August of the fiscal year 2008-09 [starting 15 July] compared to the same month of the previous fiscal year.

According to the data compiled by the Department of Labour and Employment Promotion (DoLEP), a total of 23,130 workers departed for about three dozen destinations during the month.

Qatar topped the list of recipient countries taking in 8,225 persons, followed by Malaysia with 5,323 persons. Qatar and Malaysia had received 6,429 and 4,351 workers respectively during the same month of the fiscal year 2007/08.

The number of jobseekers leaving for Malaysia, the second largest destination for Nepali workers, is on a declining trend due to comparatively unfavourable working conditions there.

"Nepali workers have to pay up to 150 ringgit [approx 43 US dollars] from their meagre salary as levy to the Malaysian government," Tilak Bahadur Ranabhat, president of the Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agents, told the [Kathmandu] Post.

About 400,000 Nepali workers are estimated to be working in Malaysia where they are employed in construction, manufacturing and agriculture.

Saudi Arabia, the third largest destination, welcomed 3,777 Nepali workers during the month under review. The number represented a 2 per cent drop from the preceding year.

Departures to the United Arab Emirates, the first country to sign a labour agreement with Nepal, increased by 11 per cent to 3,446 during the period compared to 3,093 last year.

Bahrain, which inked a labour pact with Nepal a few months ago, also saw a significant increase in the arrival of Nepali workers -- 700 persons from 174 previously.

"The rise in the number of Nepali workers departing for countries which have signed labour pacts with Nepal shows that they feel more secure working there," said Dilli Ram Sharma, director of the DoLEP.

The size of Nepal's migrant workforce in the fiscal year 2007/08 totalled 215,639 persons, an increase of 22.44 per cent compared to the previous year.

Published on: 8 September 2008 | The Kathmandu Post