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KATHMANDU, June 29: The government has officially opened 111 countries for institutional foreign employment for Nepali workers, according to data up to Falgun (mid-February) of the fiscal year 2024/25.
Despite this, a significant number of Nepali workers still reach non-approved destinations through informal channels. The government has expressed concerns that unscrupulous agents are luring workers into unapproved countries, which may push the actual number of destination countries even higher.
111 migrant workers return home
As per the Economic Survey published by the Ministry of Finance, a total of 1,670 manpower companies have received licenses to send workers abroad. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) remains the top destination for Nepali migrant workers.
By Falgun of the current fiscal year, 317,063 Nepalis received new labor approvals, of which 93.3 percent were men and only 6.7 percent were women. Including renewed approvals, the number rises to 534,471. South Korea received 7,509 workers via the EPS system in the same period.
Meanwhile, foreign employment continues to come with risks. Between Shrawan and Falgun (mid-July to mid-March), 974 Nepali workers—922 men and 52 women—lost their lives abroad. The government has provided over Rs 656.7 million in compensation to their families. Additionally, 336 workers (317 men and 19 women) were reported injured or ill, with Rs 147.4 million disbursed as support.
A safe migration program, currently in its fourth phase, is being implemented in 267 local units across 68 districts. The program has provided services to more than 454,000 people until mid-March 2025.
