The government’s new directive that requires employers and recruiting agencies to get approvals of their labour demands letters from Nepali foreign missions based in host countries is likely to take some time for complete enforcement.

 

According to Bhabishwor Pandey, chief of Foreign Employment Office (FEO), Kathmandu, some companies, seeking Nepali workers, have submitted demand letters directly to the Department of Foreign Employment even after the directive was introduced by the government.

 

“As this is the transition phase of the new policy, we have received some demand letters from companies and recruiting agencies. It will take some time for its complete implementation,” said Pandey. 

 

The recently endorsed law, Foreign Employment Related Demand Letter Enquiry Directive (2018), has made it mandatory for employers and recruiting agencies, seeking to hire Nepali workers, to get their demand letters verified by Nepali foreign missions at the destination countries.

 

The Cabinet on May 7 had introduced the policy following the cases of fraudulent demand letters that would deceive migrant workers, promising higher salaries and facilities. The directive was published in the Nepal Gazette on May 14. According to the directive, the Nepali foreign missions will verify the demand letters and can also investigate about the hiring company if required.

 

Earlier, those companies used to send their demand letters directly to the DoFE after getting approved by local notary public offices and local Chamber of Commerce.Such practice had resulted in fraudulent activities.

 

“We are making required arrangements to deal with the situation. We have been sending demand letters back to the embassies and other missions in the destination countries for approval,” said Pandey, adding that the FEO had put on hold 185 demand letters from various employing companies that were received between May 3 and May 13. 

 

The DoFE approved 1,487 demand letters between April 14 and May 13.