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KATHMANDU, Dec 31: Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security Rajendra Singh Bhandari has implemented three major policy decisions aimed at improving foreign employment governance and providing relief to thousands of Nepali workers and affected families.
The decisions, introduced soon after he assumed office, are expected to bring immediate benefits to migrant workers and strengthen protection mechanisms in the foreign employment sector.
Legal recognition for Nepali workers in Iraq
The first major decision allows around 30,000 Nepali workers currently in Iraq to obtain official labour approval. These workers had long been working without legal documentation due to Nepal’s restriction on labour migration to Iraq.
A cabinet meeting held on December 25 approved the process to formally register Nepali workers already residing in Iraq. The Ministry of Labour sought consent from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Law before forwarding the proposal to the cabinet.
For decades, Nepalis working in Iraq were excluded from official government records, preventing them from travelling freely or accessing state services. Under the new provision, Nepalis holding valid Iraqi residence cards will be allowed to obtain labour approval when they return to Nepal.
Minister Bhandari participates in Labour Ministerial Meeting of...
Nepal had imposed a ban on labour migration to Iraq following the killing of 12 Nepali workers in 2004. The ministry clarified that the new provision does not lift the ban for new workers; it only applies to those who have already been living and working in Iraq.
Free foreign employment for victims of the Gen-Z movement
The second major decision targets families affected by the Gen-Z movement. The government has decided to provide free foreign employment opportunities to families of those killed or injured during the protests.
According to Labour Ministry spokesperson Pitambar Ghimire, the government will cover all costs related to foreign employment under its social responsibility program. The facility will apply only to institutional labour migration and not to individual labour permits.
“This provision is only for those who wish to go abroad through institutional channels. It will not apply to countries where individual labour permits are practiced,” Ghimire said.
He added that many Nepalis travelling to Eastern European countries do so individually, and therefore the scheme will not apply there. Priority destinations will include Gulf countries, Malaysia, and other countries approved under institutional labour systems.
For families unwilling to pursue foreign employment, the government is also preparing alternative domestic employment options. The ministry is coordinating with the private sector to provide skills training and job placement within Nepal.
According to official data, 76 people were killed and around 2,500 injured during the Gen-Z protests on September 8 and 9.
Scrapping of old Japan trainee directive
The third major decision involves scrapping the outdated 2009 directive governing the Japan International Training Cooperation Organization (JITCO) system.
The government has decided to replace it with the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP), which is expected to make the process of sending Nepali workers to Japan more transparent, systematic, and worker-friendly.
The previous directive had long been criticized for being outdated and ineffective. With the new framework, authorities expect better protection of workers’ rights and improved oversight of recruitment procedures.
The decision was endorsed by the Cabinet in late December 2025 and is expected to open new employment opportunities for Nepali youth seeking work in Japan under clearer legal provisions.
Stakeholders view these three decisions as significant steps toward reforming Nepal’s foreign employment sector. Observers say Minister Bhandari’s early initiatives signal a more proactive approach toward safeguarding migrant workers’ rights and expanding lawful employment pathways abroad.
