KATHMANDU: Details released by the Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Social Security reveal that 14,213 Nepalis have lost their lives while working abroad since the establishment of the Foreign Employment Board Secretariat in 2008.
These statistics were made public on the occasion of International Migrants Day, celebrated annually on December 18.
The ministry is observing the day with a week-long series of programs from December 16 to 22, coordinated by Secretary Mukunda Prasad Niraula.
The initiative aims to raise awareness about the rights and challenges faced by migrant workers.
In addition to the deaths, 3,440 workers have returned home after suffering serious illnesses or injuries. These individuals have received financial support from the Foreign Employment Board.
Foreign employment is a vital component of Nepal’s economy. According to the Nepal Rastra Bank, remittance inflow increased by 16.5% in the fiscal year 2023-24, reaching Rs 1.44 trillion.
In the same period, 741,297 Nepalis, including 80,172 women, went abroad for employment with official labor permits. Remittances account for more than a quarter of Nepal’s GDP, as noted by the World Bank’s October 2024 report.
The government aims to make foreign employment safer and more dignified by revising policies, providing skills training, and encouraging the use of formal banking channels for remittance transfers.
Efforts are also underway to encourage the productive use of remittances for income generation rather than household expenses.
Various government and non-government stakeholders are collaborating to support these efforts, ensuring foreign employment remains a viable and secure option for Nepalis.
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