Outsourcing agencies have registered very few branches in the Department of Foreign Employment till mid-October, but they are all concentrated in the easter region of the country.

The department has a record of 46 branches across the country but their concentration in mainly in the eastern Terai districts, according to the department that revealed highest number of branches registered in Sunsari district. The district has 14 branches of different outsourcing agencies followed by Jhapa (12 branches), and Ilam Taplejung and Siraha with one branch each.

The branches also reflects the migration trend of the workers.

According to the department, Jhapa was the top district with 11,776 people of the district joining foreign jobs in the last fiscal year 2011-12.

Similarly, Dhanusha stood second to Jhapa with 11,636 workers joining foreign job markets followed by Morang (11,104), Mahottari (9,474) and Siraha (9,220).

However, mid-western hilly district Kaski with 10 branches comes second in the number of branches of outsourcing agencies. The branches have been providing services to migrant workers from surrounding districts, Syangja, Tanahun, Baglung and Maygdi, the department added. Similarly, according to the department, about 106 agents have been listed across the country. Most of the agents have been working in Sunsari and Jhapa districts.

However, their distribution is more balanced compared to branches.

Agents have spread from Jhapa to Banke and major commercial hubs of hilly districts, the department record revealed.

Published on: 28 October 2012 | The Himalayan Times