Nepal’s migrant labour system runs through manpower agencies. So do many of its abuses
Summary
Nepal’s manpower agencies remain at the centre of criticism over fraud, illegal fees and exploitation in the country’s labour migration system, even as they say weak regulation and destination-country practices are also to blame. Recruitment agencies have halted sending workers abroad while demanding legal reforms and a clearer fee structure.
Key Points
- Private recruitment agencies handle about two-thirds of Nepali workers leaving for foreign jobs and are central to the country’s labour migration system.
- The Department of Foreign Employment says it has taken action against 771 manpower agencies for illegal fees, fraud, intermediaries and poor accountability.
- Recruiters say the government has failed to define permissible costs and properly enforce the free visa, free ticket policy with destination countries.
- Manpower agencies have stopped sending workers abroad and are demanding amendments to the Foreign Employment Act and a transparent service-fee system.
