The number of Nepalis joining foreign jobs touched the half million mark in the 11th month of the current fiscal year. About 556,790 Nepalis entered foreign job markets in the period. 

According to the Department of Foreign Employment, about 403,090 new foreign job aspirants left for foreign countries for jobs while about 153,700 reentered foreign job markets. The highest number of 58,937 — 45,383 new job seekers and 13,554 reentrants — foreign job seekers was reported in Jestha (mid-May to mid-June), followed by 58,054 in Chaitra (mid-March to mid-April) and 57,951 in Poush (mid-December to mid-January). 

The lowest number of worker migration was reported from Bhadra (mid-August to mid-September) to Kartik (mid-October to mid-November) due to the festive season. About 38,297, 47,067 and 34,990 Nepalis left the country for foreign jobs in Bhadra, Ashwin and Kartik, respectively. 

The department’s data reveals that Malaysia is the top job destination for fresh Nepali workers, whereas Gulf countries — Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kuwait — are in the second to fifth places, respectively. Qatar hired about 79,813 Nepalis, followed by Saudi Arabia (77,412), UAE (48,185), and Kuwait (12,796). 

The top job destination hired a relatively small number of women migrant workers. Malaysia hired 6,540 Nepali women, while Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE hired 842, 273 and 7,371 Nepali women, respectively. The UAE recently adopted a policy of providing decent work for migrant workers and is planning to build satellite cities at a cost of about $5.4 billion (Rs 140.33 billion) to provide accommodation for 385,000 migrant workers. 

Kuwait — the top job market for women domestic workers — hired nearly 5,235 Nepali women. About 60,000 Nepali women are believed to be working in the destination but the official figure reveals just 21,741 since fiscal year 2007-08. 

This year, about 29,057 women have left country for foreign jobs. About 3,945 Nepalis reentered the foreign job market in the period. The flow of women migrant workers to Gulf countries increased after Israel closed its door to caregivers on April 24, 2010. Another preferred job market for women, Lebanon, has been closed for domestic workers since December 2009.

Published on: 24 June 2013 | The Himalayan Times