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Nepal Resumes Labor Approvals for 7 Gulf Nations Amid Iran Crisis

The Nepali government has decided to partially resume granting labor approvals for migrant workers heading to seven West Asian countries, excluding Iran, Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, and Lebanon. The decision comes after requests from the Non-Resident Nepali Association and embassies, and is based on recommendations from the foreign ministry. The suspension was initially imposed on March 1 due to safety concerns following US-Israeli attacks on Iran and retaliatory strikes. The move affects over 1.7 million Nepali nationals employed in the region, where one Nepali has been killed and 15 injured in recent attacks.

Key Points: Nepal Resumes Labor Approvals for 7 Gulf Nations

  • Partial resumption of labor approvals
  • Excludes Iran, Israel, and 4 others
  • Decision follows NRNA and embassy requests
  • Over 1.7 million Nepalis work in region
2 min read

Iran crisis: Nepal to allow its nationals to travel to seven West Asian nations ​

Nepal partially lifts labor approval suspension for 7 West Asian countries, excluding Iran and Israel, following safety reassessments amid regional conflict.

"workers who have returned to Nepal on leave and wish to go back to these countries for employment will also be eligible - Ministry of Labour"

Kathmandu, March 17

The Nepali government has decided to partially resume labour approvals previously suspended to send migrant workers to parts of the Gulf region, even as the region remains affected by the ongoing US-Iran conflict.​

Following joint US and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28, which triggered retaliatory strikes by Iran targeting US and Israeli assets in the region, the Nepali government on March 1 suspended the issuance of labour approvals for Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq, Yemen, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkiye, and Israel, citing concerns over the safety of Nepali workers.​

In a press statement issued on Tuesday, Nepal's Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security said it has decided to resume granting labour approvals for Nepali workers currently employed in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Yemen, Jordan, and Turkiye - excluding Iran, Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, and Lebanon.​

"Additionally, workers who have returned to Nepal on leave and wish to go back to these countries for employment will also be eligible to obtain labour approvals," the ministry said.​

The ministry added that the decision to resume labour approvals for certain Gulf countries was taken after receiving requests from the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA), Nepali embassies in the concerned countries, and workers who were unable to renew their labour permits. It said the move was based on recommendations from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a letter from the Department of Foreign Employment.​

The ministry further stated that the suspension of labour approvals for the remaining six countries will continue, as the security situation there has not yet fully improved.​

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, over 1.7 million Nepali nationals are employed across a dozen countries in the region.​

The foreign ministry revealed last week that one Nepali national has died and 15 others have been injured in Iranian attacks in West Asia. A Nepali youth, Diwas Shrestha, from the western district of Gorkha, was killed during a drone interception operation at Zayed International Airport in the UAE.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Heartbreaking to read about the death of Diwas Shrestha. It brings home the real human cost of these conflicts. Our neighbours in Nepal send so many people abroad for work, just like from many Indian states. Their remittances are crucial for their economy. Safety must be the top priority.
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Aman W
A practical decision. You can't stop life and work completely. 1.7 million workers! The economic impact of a full ban would be devastating for Nepal. Hopefully, the embassies are keeping a close watch and will issue immediate advisories if things worsen.
S
Sarah B
While I understand the need for people to work, this feels a bit rushed. The article says the security situation in the six suspended countries hasn't "fully improved." Has it improved enough in the other seven? A bit more transparency on the safety assessments would be reassuring.
V
Vikram M
The Gulf region is like an extended neighbourhood for South Asia. So many families from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan depend on it. This US-Iran tension creates instability that hits our people the hardest. Hope diplomacy prevails soon.
K
Kavya N
Good that they are listening to the NRNA and the workers themselves. The people on the ground often have the best sense of the real situation. Praying for the safety of all migrant workers in the region. They are the true heroes supporting their families back home.

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