SANN NewsNepali workers encounter hurdles due to a lack of language and skills in their destination countries. A Saudi company sacked 22 Nepalese workers because they couldn’t understand the language. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), Nepal’s primary labor destination, has computerized all labor welfare services; yet, many Nepali workers continue to struggle to access these services due to linguistic hurdles. The government intends to make a basic level English language test mandatory for skilled and semi-skilled professionals who plan to work abroad. The Ministry intends to issue labor approval only after receiving a certificate of passing the basic English language test at the international level.
The International Labor Organization (ILO) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) are advocating globally. Workers will be taught language and skills before being sent to their target country. Nepal has pledged to sending trained professionals to international forums such as the Colombo Process and the Abu Dhabi Dialogue. The government feels that sending laborers with English language training will assist them deal with the different issues that arise in the target country.
In the previous fiscal year, 771,327 Nepalis, including 6,993,193 men and 72,134 women, sought abroad employment with work permits. In the first six months of this year, 343,435 Nepalis obtained work permits and relocated to other countries, including 243,626 skilled and 28,947 unskilled workers.
