According to MoLESS reports Over 14,000 Nepali migrants have died overseas in the past 15 years

According to a Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Social Security (MoLESS) report, over 14,000 Nepalis have lost their lives while working abroad throughout the past 15 years. 14,213 people have lost their lives while working overseas since the Foreign Employment Board (FEB) Secretariat was established in the fiscal year 2008–09.

In honor of International Migrant Workers’ Day, which is being observed in Nepal all week, the MoLESS has released this study. The ministry is hosting a number of events, including those on Wednesday, to commemorate the week of December 16–22.

Mukunda Prasad Niraula, the ministry secretary, chaired the primary event organizing committee, which planned a week-long celebration of the day. Since the board’s founding, 3,440 employees have returned gravely ill or disabled, according to information the committee made public. According to Secretary Niraula, these workers have received financial support from the FEB. In search of employment, Nepali nationals have relocated to 111 other nations, he added.

According to the International Organization for Migration’s Migration Report 2024, there are 28.10 million migrants globally, 16.90 million of them are migrant workers. The International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families was adopted by the UN on December 18, 1990, to address possible discrimination against migrants. It went into force on July 1, 2003.

Nepal’s economy has benefited greatly from the employment of foreigners. The government’s aim, according to the Ministry of Labor, is to make the labor force—the foundation of the economy—productive and competitive while making the most of the capital, technology, skills, and experience gained from working abroad.

The government plans to make foreign employment safe and respectable as part of its fiscal year 2024–2025 policies and initiatives. Among other things, these measures include amending laws pertaining to foreign employment, guaranteeing skilled employment, providing free orientation training, reviewing labor agreements, signing memorandums of understanding and labor agreements with other destination countries, encouraging citizens who want to work abroad to open free bank accounts and send money through them, and putting in place a returnee entrepreneurship program.

Remittance inflows reached Rs 1.445 trillion in fiscal year 2023–2024, up 16.5% from the previous fiscal year, according to figures from Nepal Rastra Bank. Remittances were sent by 741,297 workers—80,172 of whom were women—who had obtained labor approval (including re-approval) from the Department of Foreign Employment in order to work abroad during this time. These remittances made a substantial contribution to Nepal’s economy, improved human asset indicators, decreased the financial risk for low-income families, and supported the families of migrant workers. According to a World Bank analysis from October 2024, remittances make up over 25% of Nepal’s overall GDP.

According to the MoLESS, as in years past, a number of events are being organized this year as part of the decision to commemorate Migrant Workers’ Day as a week-long event with the goal of educating stakeholders about respectable and safe overseas employment.

Secretary Niraula explains that local organizations, such as municipalities, district administration offices, district police offices, and rural municipalities, play a critical role in preparing the documentation needed for overseas employment, such as passports, skill training, and orientation. Consequently, International Migrant Workers’ Day has particular meaning locally because it is a topic that affects everyone.

According to Basanta Bohara, Under Secretary of the MoLESS, the government is attempting to reform the foreign employment policy in order to control foreign employment. The policy is presently in the suggestion stage, he said.

According to a research, 98.9 percent of remittances are handled through official channels, and few people encounter issues, according to Mahesh Parajuli, another MoLESS under secretary. He went on to say that since the majority of earned money is used for family management, it is necessary to promote and increase awareness about using it to generate income. These initiatives would help in this regard.