Showing posts with label jobs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label jobs. Show all posts

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Worker migration at half a million in 11 months

KATHMANDU, DEC 15. 2012

The number of workers joining foreign jobs witnessed a rise in the last 11 months.

According to the Department of Foreign Employment, about 500,111 Nepalis left for foreign employment between Poush (mid-January) and Kartik (mid-December).

The data showed a sharp rise in migration figures after the department started recording re-entrants. The department started registering re-entrants from Mangsir (mid-November to mid-December) last year.

Migrant workers re-entering the foreign job market have propelled the outflow figure. About 187,467 re-entered foreign job destinations during the period.

The department started recording re-entrants to get the actual figure of migration, said director general of the department Purna Chandra Bhattarai. “A comparative study on migration will be possible from next year,” he said, adding that re-entry in the job market could indicate worker friendly markets.

Most re-entrants joined jobs in Gulf countries — Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. Malaysia — one of the top five destinations — recorded the lowest number of re-entrants, according to data.

Labour market analysts have said the rise was expected despite problems in Gulf-based job markets. Worker migration has been booming only because of the lack of opportunities in the domestic market, said Dr Chiranjivi Nepal. “Worker migration will not reduce if the transition period continues,” he added.

Nepal expected the figures for worker migration to go above 600,000 in the current fiscal year. However, there is no chance of a major shift in popular destinations in the next couple of years.

“Job markets in the Persian Gulf can accommodate unskilled and low skilled workers, but the safety situation will remain the same,” he said, “It is because, we have not worked for the safety of workers.”

However, the department claimed that there have been a lot of corrections made with regards to foreign employment. “Individual contracts have reduced to five per cent of total migrants,” said Bhattarai.

Similarly, the board has started legalising migrant workers who have left the country without adhering to the formal process. About 3,847 migrants have been legalised since the process began in Ashwin (mid-September to mid-October).

The department has implemented almost all the reforms suggested by the committee led by Dr Ganesh Gurung. The committee which was formed last year has handed over a 30-point reform plan to the government to curb fraud and other irregularities in the outsourcing sector.

Source: THT

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Qatar is top hirer of Nepali migrant workers

KATHMANDU, JUL 18 - 2012

Qatar has displaced Malaysia as the top recruiter of Nepali migrant workers.

A total of 103,371 Nepali individuals went to Qatar in 2011-12, whereas Malaysia hired 98,339 Nepalis, according to the Department of Foreign Employment data.

Workers’ departure to Malaysia declined by 7.14 percent in 2011-12, mainly the due to legalisation programme carried out by Malaysian government.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait made the top five recipients of Nepali migrant workers. Saudi Arabia offered employment to 80,380 Nepalis, while the UAE and Kuwait took in 54,294 and 23,790 individuals, respectively.

According to the department, 384,198 individuals left the country for overseas jobs in last fiscal year. The number is the highest in a fiscal year so far.

Political instability and lack of job opportunities in Nepal are prompting more youth to opt for foreign employment.

The department’s statistics clearly show that a majority of workforce entering job market are opting for overseas jobs.

According to government statistics, 400,000 fresh workers enter the domestic job market annually.

And, if the numbers of repeat migrant workers are taken into account, more than 530,000 workers left country for overseas jobs last year. A total of 146,140 individuals obtained re-entry permission from the department last fiscal year. “The number of outbound workers is increasing each year, primarily due to the lack of job opportunities in the country,” said Gyanu Prasad Gaire, vice-president of the Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies. He said comparatively good salary in international job markets was attracting Nepali youth towards foreign employment.

Foreign employment expert Ganesh Gurung said Tarai youth are getting more attracted towards countries other than India for foreign employment.

“A huge number of youth from Tarai and even those losing their jobs in Nepali industries are found leaving for employment in the international labour market,” he said.

Top five labour destinations

Country  >  2010-11 >    2011-12  >  Change %

Qatar  >  102,966  >  103,371  >  0.39

Malaysia  >  105,906  >  98,339  >  -7.14

Saudi Arabia  >  71,116  >  80,380  >  13.02

The UAE  >  44,464  >  54,294 >   22.10

Kuwait   > 15,187  >  23,790  >  56.64


Workers Departure for overseas jobs

Year   >  No.of Workers

2011-12  >  384,198

2010-11  >  354,716

2009-10  >  294,054

2008-09  >  219,965

2007-08  >  249,051

Source: The Kathmandu Post