Data compiled by the Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE) shows a total of 318,427 workers, or 1,180 workers per day, left for overseas jobs during the review period ended mid-April. The number was 238,746 in the same period of 2011/12.[break]
Of the total workers leaving for foreign job markets over the first nine months of current fiscal year, 19,746 were female. Similarly, 36,161 of them got jobs through personal contacts, while the rest managed to reach the labor markets through institutional channel.
Number of workers finding their way to labor destinations through individual channel has decreased drastically over the past couple of years as the government has tightened issuance of work permits through individual channel.
Malaysia, the second largest destination of Nepali migrant workers, continued to become the most popular destination during the review period. It received 115,085 Nepal youths. Similarly, Saudi Arabia received 61,924 Nepali youths followed by Qatar that welcomed 58,223 Nepali workers during the review period. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) became the fourth popular labor market, receiving 39,241 Nepali workers during the review period.
Malaysia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar combined offered 274,473 jobs to Nepali youths, which constitute as much as 86 percent of the total jobs opportunities received during the period.
The DoFE also states that number of workers leaving for overseas destinations over the past month ending mid-April reached 41,640. The number of workers leaving for Malaysia and Qatar during the month was recorded at 13,559 and 9,295, respectively. Similarly, Saudi Arabia and the UAE received 7,720 and 4,839 workers, respectively.
Related story
Child labor situation in Nepal: challenges and ways forward
