KATHMANDU, Jan 24: A total of 14,753 individuals received permission for foreign employment in the Nepali month of Paush (mid-December to mid-January). This is the largest number in a month’s time since the coronavirus hit the country.

According to the Department of Foreign Employment, it issued approvals to 13,397 men and 1,356 women seeking to work abroad during the period. Of them, 4,772 have sought to work in the United Arab Emirates, the largest of all. Similarly, 3,882 individuals have been permitted to work in Qatar and 3,763 in Saudi Arabia.

Of the total number receiving the government permit, 7,544 were approved for reentry and the rest of 7,209 were issued new permits. The department issued permits to 903 individuals from Dhanusha, the highest number among the foreign employment seekers during the period. Similarly, 747 individuals from Jhapa, 712 from Siraha, 578 from Morang, 526 from Nawalparasi and 501 from Sunsari were in the list.

Officials of the department said they have been receiving an increasing number of applications from foreign job seekers since the authorities allowed the renewal of labour permits through an online system started from the beginning of 2021. During mid-November and mid-December, 12,431 individuals were issued labour permits while the number was 7,797 in the previous month.

In the wake of the COVID-19 threat, the government on March 3 suspended issuing labour permits for foreign employment before it was officially opened on September 1. The department’s records show that around 42,000 individuals have taken permits for foreign employment since the government turned flexible in the segment.

 
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