In a significant development, the Ministry of Labour, Employment, and Social Security in Nepal has paved the way for the legal deployment of institutional workers to Europe through manpower companies. This breakthrough is heralded by the issuance of 'Procedure 2080 for Examining and Approving Demand Letter for Foreign Employment.' The procedure introduces a streamlined institutional demand letter verification process, addressing previous hurdles faced by Nepali workers seeking opportunities in Europe.

Innovative Procedure Overcomes Embassy Delays: Under this new procedure, if the embassy fails to verify the institutional demand letter within 15 days of submission, the Ministry of Labour will directly intervene in the process. This marks a departure from the earlier requirement, wherein the recruitment process only commenced after embassy verification, leading to delays in institutional worker deployment.

Embassy Verification Challenges Resolved: Embassies focusing on Europe had suspended verification since May, citing resource constraints, which impeded institutional demand verification in line with the Foreign Employment Requisition Scrutiny Guide 2075. Consequently, manpower companies were unable to send workers institutionally, forcing individuals to secure work permits independently. This move led to complications, particularly in cases where promised job conditions were not met, leaving workers without adequate compensation.

Committee Formation for Swift Verification: To expedite the demand letter verification process, the Ministry of Labour has established a 5-member demand letter verification committee. This committee, headed by the head of the employment management division, includes representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Foreign Employment Department, and the Law and Judgment Implementation Branch of the Ministry of Labour. The committee is tasked with authenticating demand letters within a stipulated period of 10 days.

Transparent Verification Criteria: The committee will scrutinize various aspects, including the employer's treatment of workers, wage distribution, workplace conditions, housing, health and safety measures, employer legitimacy, and compliance with the labor destination country's regulations. This thorough examination aims to ensure the authenticity and fairness of the demand letter verification process.

Financial Obligations for Employers: Upon successful verification, employers in the Gulf region and Malaysia will be required to submit fees of NPR 40,000 for hiring less than 100 workers and NPR 60,000 for more than 100 workers. Similarly, employers in East Asia, Japan, Korea, Israel, and other countries will incur fees of NPR 50,000 for less than 100 workers and NPR 75,000 for more than 100 workers. In Europe and other countries, fees amounting to $350 for less than 100 workers and $500 for more than 100 workers will be applicable.

Shift in Foreign Employment Trends: Nepal's foreign employment landscape, traditionally dominated by the Gulf region, is witnessing a shift towards Europe and East Asian countries. Last year, 38,000 Nepali workers obtained work permits for Europe, marking a departure from the previous concentration on the Gulf region. Croatia emerged as a prominent destination, with 5,150 Nepalis securing work permits.

Despite the increasing appeal of Europe, individuals facing challenges in the institutional recruitment process have resorted to personal labor permits, often facilitated by brokers. This trend has raised concerns about human trafficking and exploitation. In the last eight months, 592 complaints related to personal employment have been filed, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive institutional framework.

As Nepal embraces a more efficient process for institutional worker deployment to Europe, the focus on transparency, fair treatment, and compliance is poised to foster a more secure and reliable foreign employment landscape.