The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security has decided to set up offices in Itahari, Janakpur and Butwal for providing work permits to those willing to go abroad for employment.

“We have identified the places from where the highest number of people are going for foreign jobs. We will set up offices in Itahari, Janakpur and Butwal for issuing work permits,” said newly appointed Minister for Labour and Employment Gokarna Bista at a press meet on Tuesday.

He said the government has initiated necessary works for its immediate implementation. “I have directed the officials concerned to make arrangements for providing services as per the existing legal provisions. We will grant all kinds of work permits authorised by the law,” he said.

Ministry officials said the work permits could be granted with immediate effect.

“The migrant workers, who are here on holiday, don’t need to travel to Kathmandu just to renew their work permit. We will instantly finalise the issues of both institutional and personal permits,” said Minister Bista.

During the press meet, Minister Bista vowed to end all kinds of syndicates that are in existence in the foreign employment sector and provide hassle-free services to aspirant migrant workers. He said foreign employment agents have formed a “huge syndicate” in the name of medical tests. He said the government has been holding discussions with stakeholders concerned to create an environment for sending the workers at the lowest possible cost. “We will soon make a decision in this regard,” he said, assuring that the government is working in an “organised manner” to create skilled manpower and ensure secured employment.

Upon his appointment as the minister, Bista had promised to accord top priority for addressing the problems facing the migrant workers while pursuing foreign jobs. He had directed the Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE) to identify prospective places outside Kathmandu Valley to set up offices for issuing work permits.