Number of Nepalis going abroad to work falls sharply

The number of Nepalis leaving the country for work has fallen steeply over the past five months, and was slightly less than 93,000 for the period, 40% less than that recorded in the same period last year.

The slump is in large part due to the Nepalese government’s ban on workers heading to Malaysia – imposed due to brokers who were charging them excessive fees.

Malaysia was the top work destination for Nepalis requiring visas, followed by Middle Eastern countries.

An estimated two million Nepalis are outside the country for work, not including about one to one-and-a-half million who are working in the neighbouring India where visas and work permits are not required.

Remittances from workers abroad account for more than 34% of the country’s GDP according to the World Bank.