The government has added one more nation in its foreign job market list, opening the Republic of the Congo — popularly known as Congo-Brazzaville — for Nepali workers.

There are 109 countries open for foreign jobs to Nepalis.

The government has opened the Republic of Congo for Nepali foreign job aspirants, said secretary of ministry of labour and employment Suresh Man Shrestha. Nepali outsourcing agencies had asked the government to open the destination some seven to eight months back due to demand from the country. “Details of the recruitment process and benefits have been mentioned in Nepal Gazette published in February.” According to the gazette, Nepali workers will get at least $320 (Rs 28,127) salary in the destination.

“Unskilled workers will get at least Rs 28,127, semi-skilled workers will get $620 (Rs 54,496) and skilled workers or professionals will get a monthly salary of $2,000 (Rs 175,793),” the gazette says. Salary scale is better than in Gulf where Nepali workers have been getting $240 (Rs 21,095).

Nepali workers will also get free boarding facility in the country.

“Employers have to bear the air ticket and visa fee while recruiting Nepali workers,” said Shrestha.

“Outsourcing agencies will get just Rs 20,000 as mediating fee.” The Republic of the Congo was a French colony before 1960. The country became independent on August 15, 1960. It has diplomatic relations with Nepal since September 22, 2006. However, its neighbour, Democratic

Republic of Congo, is in a civil war and Nepali army has been stationed there with the UN peace keeping mission. Republic of the Congo has a pop ulation of 4.4 million and per capita income is $3,000 (Rs 263,690). Its minerals, forest, agriculture and service sectors have been booming rapidly..

Published on: 3 March 2013 | The Himalayan Times