Worker migration increased by 7.07 per cent in Falgun (mid-February to mid-March) due to the growing instability in the country. About 55‚439 Nepalis left the country for foreign jobs in the period as compared to 51‚516 a month back.

According to the Department of Foreign Employment‚ Qatar was the top hiring destination and employed 13‚928 workers — 8‚143 fresh workers and 5‚785 reentrants. Last month‚ Malaysia was the top destination. This time‚ Malaysia secured the second place hiring 13‚718 workers‚ followed by Saudi Arabia (11‚740)‚ United Arab Emirates (8‚461) and Kuwait (1‚625).

Other top hiring countries were Oman‚ Bahrain‚ Lebanon and Jordan. They hired 758‚ 733‚ 159 and 97 workers‚ respectively. Similarly‚ Japan and Hong Kong hired 245 and 30 workers‚ respectively.

South Korea — the most lucrative job destination for Nepali workers — hired 78 workers‚ including eight women last month. The destination has been hiring Nepali workers under the Employment Permit System since August 2008.

Euro zone countries did not hire Nepali workers last month. However‚ 33 Nepalis‚ including three women‚ reached America through individual contacts.

The United Arab Emirates was the top destination in hiring Nepali women. It hired 912 Nepali women migrant workers‚ followed by Kuwait (820)‚ Malaysia (458)‚ Oman (215) and Qatar (110).

Published on: 22 March 2013 | The Himalayan Times