Risky business overseas

As the country fails to stem the outbound tide – if it wants to at all, with remittances contributing 19 per cent of GDP – opinions remain divided on the migration debate. 

But with an increase in out-migration, there has also been an increase in a host of related problems. From workers overstaying their visas, violence, and sexual assaults against women in Arab countries, to many cases of fraud at the personal and organisational level, the state has been unable to ensure regulatory and security provisions for the thousands that flock out of the country each year.

In the first seven months of this fiscal year, a record 1,126 complaints of fraud were lodged at the Department of Foreign Employment. This accounts for a demand of 686 million rupees in compensation. 

Among the complaints filed, one single organisation has cheated some 600 people. Of the total number, 718 were cheated on a personal level, while the remaining 408 were cheated organisationally. 

The department says it doesn’t have the means for such mass compensation, but at the same time, has failed to come up with mitigation measures.

By now, it is clear that out-migration is going to be a reality for Nepal for at least a few more decades to come. In this context, it is urgent that the government create proper regulations on migration to counter the growing fraud by manpower agencies and their employees, and also to take some responsibility for its citizens abroad. 

This means the creation of an effective national policy, coupled with strong inter-country and diplomatic agreements to safeguard the rights of Nepali migrant workers abroad. Towards this end, the recent move by Finance Minister Barshaman Pun to seek amnesty for Nepali workers in Saudi Arabia is a step in the right direction. 

The delegation also raised a number of important and necessary issues like that of a bilateral labour agreement, and assistance to open a vocational institute in Nepal for pre-departure training and orientation for migrant workers. Bilateral labour agreements with all countries that take in Nepali migrant workers are a must. Likewise, the latter would go a long way to preventing the exploitation of workers not only in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf, but all over the world.

But in the long run, given the reality of Nepal’s domestic labour market, the government will have to work towards increasing the number of semi-skilled labourers abroad – a market that has, to-date, remained relatively untouched by Nepali workers abroad. 

This market not only holds more potential to give back to the families and the Nepali economy, but also would minimise the risk factors associated with out-migration.