More workers joined foreign jobs in the first four months of the current fiscal year as compared to same period in last fiscal.

 

Data from the Department of Foreign Employment revealed that about 165,681 workers joined foreign jobs in the first four months, which is 5.40 per cent more than the 156,730 who migrated for jobs in the corresponding period of last fiscal year.

 

According to the department, about 124,394 Nepali workers joined foreign jobs for the first time, while 41,377 reentered foreign destinations. Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates hired about 90 per cent of Nepali foreign job aspirants. 

 

Malaysia was the top hiring destination with 51,425 jobs, followed by Saudi Arabia (38,484), Qatar (35,650) and UAE (24,137). Other destinations including Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain and South Korea hired 15,985 Nepali workers in the first quadrimester. 

 

The third month of the current fiscal year witnessed a sharp rise in migration with 47,067 workers joining foreign jobs. Worker migration dropped to 34,990 in the fourth month due to Dashain and Tihar. 

 

Migration will likely rise in the coming months as the department has given prior approval for 207,606 jobs. The highest number of 66,985 prior job approvals were issued in Asoj (mid-September to mid-October).

 

 

The safety of domestic workers at the workplace was the main debate at 5th World Social Forum on Migration being held in Manila, Philippines, on November 26-30. Migrant rights advocates, criticised sending countries, saying they could not streamline migration of domestic workers. Worker exporting countries have earned millions of dollars in remittance but they are not serious about the safety of their citizens at the workplace. “Governments have not substantially addressed the core reasons for worker exodus to seek a livelihood in a foreign land, notwithstanding the social consequences they have to face, including conflicts, disasters, and violence,” said executive director of Center for Migrant Advocacy Ellene Sana at the forum on Tuesday.