Contrary to the revered belief that 'mother and motherland are greater than heaven', many Nepalis are now even willing to risk their lives on foreign soil rather than return home
Amid ongoing Israel-Iran scuffle, a shocking statement citing the Nepalese ambassador in Israel surfaced on media. Addressing the situation of Nepali citizens in Israel, Ambassador Dr. Dhan Prasad Pandit stated that 99 per cent of the approximately 5,500 Nepali nationals currently residing in Israel have expressed that they do not wish to be rescued by the embassy and have no intention of returning to Nepal at this time. This might be a routine press briefing statement from a Nepali embassy abroad, but the statement conveys a deep denotation.
Poor governance, state-sponsored corruption, deep-rooted nepotism and an entrenched oligarchy have made Nepal increasingly unliveable for its own citizens. Contrary to the revered belief that 'mother and motherland are greater than heaven,' many Nepalis are now even willing to risk their lives on foreign soil rather than return home. The casualties of numerous Nepali nationals in the Russia-Ukraine war further underscore this harsh reality.
The exact number of Nepali citizens living and working abroad is not credibly available. According to the Department of Foreign Employment, around 4.5 million Nepali nationals are estimated to be working abroad excluding India. However, this figure does not look reliable as a lot of Nepali embark on their foreign employment endeavour illegally on visas other than working visa. The ongoing issue in the parliament regarding the alleged involvement of Home Ministry officials in the tourist visa scam strengthens this notion. Hence, more that 10 million Nepali citizens, almost one third of Nepal's population, are expected to be living, studying and working abroad legally or illegally.
With nearly one-third of its population living abroad, Nepal has one of the highest remittance-to-GDP ratios in South Asia. Each year, the number of Nepali citizens migrating overseas continues to rise, leading to a steady increase in remittance inflows - growing by approximately 15 - 20% annually. The government is interpreting it as a positive financial leap and is boasting that the financial indexes are gradually increasing. The dark reality, however, is that the unproductive sources of revenue such as foreign employment are not always sustainable. A global economic downturn triggered by unprecedented event, such as a pandemic, war or geopolitical crisis, can abruptly disrupt the key sources of revenue. Therefore, Nepal's dependence on remittances represents a short-term financial gain that remains vulnerable to a sudden decline.
A retrospective analysis of Nepal's national policies reveals a strong emphasis of the state on promoting foreign employment. Hence, the government regulated entity, the Department of Foreign Employment, is established to facilitate Nepali citizens to migrate abroad. Over time, government recognised manpower agencies have mushroomed across nearly every street and alley of Kathmandu and major cities. Remarkably, many individuals involved in the remittance and labour migration industry have even entered the parliament as policymakers. As a result, foreign employment policies are increasingly shaped by the interests of these agents-turned-legislators, raising concerns about conflict of interest and policy capture.
On a personal note, I have met and spoken with several Nepali migrant workers in European countries such as Romania, Malta and Croatia. While some had secured legal permission to reside in these countries, others had entered on tourist visas or through irregular channels. However, once in Europe, many found themselves without legal work permits, forcing them into undocumented and illegal employment – a serious offence under European law. These undocumented workers often face brutal exploitation, living under conditions akin to modern-day slavery. Despite these hardships, many Nepali migrants remain unwilling to return home.
It is high time that the government and policymakers shift their focus towards more sustainable sources of revenue generation, such as agriculture, manufacturing and tourism, rather than continuing to rely heavily on foreign employment. The working environment in the country should be made favourable for entrepreneurs to establish their businesses. Nepal has a scope of attracting large foreign investments with its strategical geographical location and sociopolitical importance. Once more and more industries and businesses are established in Nepal, the young workforce will be retained within the country.
Nepal's policy makers have to understand that the foreign employment policy that the state is promoting is silently assassinating its long-term economic stability. On the social aspect, families are separated and the villages and rural areas are left only with elderly citizens, women and children. This contradicts with the fundamental right of every citizen to stay and survive in his/her own native place. Accordingly, it is the ultimate responsibility of a welfare nation to assure that its citizens are availed with basic necessities within the country. If the government realises and implements this civic obligation, a large number of youngsters will remain within the country and only a small number of people will depart abroad for better opportunities.
Nepal has already endured immense hardship due to prolonged bad governance. The nation's socio-economic status has declined to one of its lowest points. It is now imperative for Nepal to move forward. To do so, the government must create meaningful employment opportunities within the country for all its citizens. Otherwise, we risk continuing the grim cycle where even prominent leaders, like former Prime Minister and Nepali Congress Chairperson Sher Bahadur Deuba, are left to lament that Nepal has nothing left to export but its people.
Dr Joshi is a senior scientist and independent opinion maker based in Germany