SURKHET: The number of people going abroad for foreign employment from Karnali Province is increasing.
According to statistics from the Safe Migration Program, around 30,000 people from Karnali obtain labour permits each year for foreign employment.
In the fiscal year 2024/25 alone, a total of 28,049 people from Karnali’s 10 districts received labour permits. Among them, Salyan recorded the highest number, with 7,587 people (6,967 men and 620 women) obtaining permits.
Similarly, 5,657 people, including 5,089 men and 568 women, obtained labour permits from Surkhet. A total of 4,288 people (3,965 men and 323 women) went abroad from Dailekh, while 2,859 people from Rukum West, 2,518 from Jajarkot, 1,252 from Kalikot, and 1,255 from Jumla also received permits. Likewise, 686 people from Mugu, 608 from Humla, and 688 from Dolpa obtained labour permits.
Stakeholders say the growing trend of foreign employment is largely due to the lack of employment opportunities within the country and the hope of earning higher incomes abroad. They have emphasized the need to make foreign employment safer.
These views were expressed during an interaction programme organized under the Safe Migration (SAMI) Programme, run by the Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment of the Karnali Province Government, on the occasion of International Migration Day.
Participants stressed that employment opportunities should be explored within the country as much as possible, and that those who choose to go abroad should do so only after fully understanding the process.
Labour Officer Dhruba Devkota highlighted the need to conduct awareness programs at the village level to promote safe foreign employment. Kamal Bahadur Rokaya, Provincial Manager of the Safe Migration Program, informed that 264 people from Karnali have lost their lives while working abroad so far.
He urged that foreign employment be pursued only through legal and formal channels, noting a recent rise in illegal migration and fraud due to misleading incentives.
Assistant Chief District Officer of Surkhet, Dil Bahadur Karki, said many people are compelled to seek employment abroad due to limited domestic opportunities and advised prospective migrant workers to make informed decisions.
Similarly, Ajit Kumar Karna, Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment, stressed the importance of raising awareness in all villages against going to countries with which Nepal does not have labour agreements.
The Safe Migration Program, implemented with technical assistance from the Swedish Government and Helvetas, is currently being carried out in 51 municipalities across Karnali Province.
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