Nepal Resumes Issuing Work Permits for Middle East

Nepal has taken a significant step by resuming the issuance of work permits for its citizens seeking employment in the Middle East. This decision comes after a six-week halt, which was implemented due to escalating conflicts in the region. The move is particularly important given that approximately 75% of all Nepali workers abroad are employed in Middle Eastern countries, primarily in construction and labor roles.

The resumption of permits follows advice from the foreign ministry and a high demand from workers eager to secure overseas employment. For Nepal, a nation grappling with a $42-billion economy that is heavily reliant on remittances, this decision carries substantial weight. These funds sent back by Nepali workers constitute more than a quarter of the country's GDP, providing a critical lifeline to the cash-strapped Himalayan nation.

This development is also viewed against the backdrop of Nepal's significant youth unemployment rate, which stands at 20.6% among its 30 million population, the highest in South and Southeast Asia. Industry officials estimate that at least 3 million Nepalis work overseas, with labor unions reporting that approximately 1,500 young people leave the country daily in pursuit of foreign employment due to scarce job opportunities at home. The government's decision to resume permits underscores the vital role of foreign employment in alleviating domestic unemployment and supporting the national economy.

“

Permit resumption 'follows advice from the foreign ministry and high demand from workers'.