Following the Nepalese government’s implementation of a zero-cost migration policy, the Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies (NAFEA) yesterday announced an indefinite strike, reports ekantipur.com.

The policy, which came into force on 6 July, means that labour permits will only be issued to migrant workers who can evidence that their flight and visa costs are being covered by their prospective employer. The policy only applies to migrant workers going to six Gulf countries and Malaysia.

The main criticism from the recruitment agencies is the lack of consultation with the labour receiving countries; namely Malaysia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, and Kuwait.

Around 2,000 prospective migrant workers were affected when staffing agencies and recruitment agents shut down the front desk office of the Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE) on the first day.

Recruiting agencies said they would continue to obstruct the DOFE until the government rescinded its controversial new policy.

Bimal Dhakal, NAFEA chairperson, said: “We are ready to support the free visa and free ticket decision if the government signs labour agreement with the concerned destination countries clearly mentioning the provision. One-sided decision of Labour minister is not acceptable.”

Recruitment agencies have also criticised the Ministry of Labour and Employment for failing to the views of domestic stakeholders into consideration prior to launching the new policy.

According to the new policy, aspiring migrant workers will have to pay only for their health check-ups, orientation training, and the migrant worker’s welfare fund.

State Minister for Labour and Employment Tek Bahadur Gurung said the provision was aimed at ending the exploitation of workers: “This provision will help make the foreign employment sector more organised and decent. I don’t think it will lead to a decline in demand of Nepali workers.”

Bhola Prasad Shiwakoti, secretary at the Ministry of Labour and Employment, on Monday had said the government would scrap the licenses of recruitment agencies found taking visa and ticket charge from migrants.

The government also plans to sign bilateral labour agreement with major destination countries in order to safeguard the rights, welfare and security of migrant workers. Around 70% of approximately 3.5 million Nepali migrants, except those working in India, are employed in countries where Nepal has not signed any labour agreement.

The government has so far signed labour agreement only with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar and South Korea. The government announcement to sign such agreements with other labour destinations, including Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon and Oman, have not yet materialised.