The government on Monday launched Foreign Employment Information Management System (FEIMS) that would enable the Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE) to keep records of migrant workers returning home for the first time.

The website of FEIMS and a separate mobile application have integrated various foreign employment agencies into one platform. The system will provide real time information for all stakeholders and facilitate migrant workers from the time they begin job application process.

The department has been maintaining data on tentative number of migrant workers by counting the number of work permits issued. This is not a reliable approach to count the exact number of migrant workers in foreign countries.  

“There had been data deficit on the actual number of migrant workers in foreign countries and those returning to Nepal after serving their job contract. The FEIMS will improve the data shortage condition,” said Labour Minister Gokarna Bista.

Various government agencies like Department of Passport, Department of Immigration, Department of Consular Services, Department of Foreign Employment, recruiting agencies, medical examination institutions, pre-departure orientation training providers, insurance companies, and banks have been included into the system from where they can provide services to beneficiaries. “We have adopted the latest technology to improve foreign employment sector, making it more transparent and crack down misconduct going on under the cover of foreign employment,” said Minister Bista, adding most of the services would be available online, sparring beneficiaries from visiting offices.   

The FEIMS has integrated all information and services concerning foreign employment in one place by including data from various agencies. From verification of workers’ demand letters, by Nepali missions in destination countries, to gathering information on workers’ arrival will be possible through the FEIMS, said Ministry Secretary Mahesh Prasad Dahal.

“The system will provide real time information and facilitate workers and manpower companies in their respective need. Additionally, it will also register workers’ grievances,” said Dahal.

Workers can apply for labour permits through the new system. They can upload insurance documents into the system after double verification by officials. Every worker will be given barcode-integrated sticker for avoiding duplication of labour permits. The sticker will be synced with the immigration desk at the airport that will keep data of departures and arrivals of workers.

Six commercial banks have agreed to collaborate with the new system. They would accept online insurance payments through the system. Workers can access their medical reports through the system. Progress of complaints lodged by migrant workers cheated by recruiting agencies, their agents, and the officer investigating the case, can be tracked using the system or the mobile application, said DoFE engineer Raju Shrestha.

“Besides providing services online to recruiting agencies and workers, the system will keep a check on efficiency of government officials. Incidents of files being lost that happened in the past will not happen,” said Shrestha, adding the system will assist in rescue of workers.  

The ministry is currently training agencies that would use the system. It is updating data from all agencies and testing the security levels of the FEIMS system before it goes online on October 1.

Published On: 11 September 2018 | The Kathmandu Post