Despite Declaring They Would Stop Services, Agents Obtain 104 Pre-Approvals and 430 Labor Approvals from Department

This report summarizes recent developments. Although the Foreign Employment Agents Association announced a protest and decided not to avail services from the department, manpower agents obtained 104 pre-approvals and 430 labor approvals from the department on Monday alone. Association President Dikbahadur Khatri has warned that agents violating the decision will have their memberships revoked. Kathmandu, 25 Shrawan. Despite foreign employment agents declaring on Shrawan 22 that they would stop receiving services from the department, services continue to be provided by the department. The manpower agents staged a sit-in at the department campus in protest, but on Monday alone, 104 pre-approvals and 430 labor approvals were granted. According to the department, a total of 430 labor approvals were issued, including 385 for males and 45 for females. The association has presented a 15-point demand and announced a phased protest plan. As per the announcement, the office will be closed, the government offices will be locked, and worker dispatch will be halted starting from Bhadra 1, if demands are not met. However, during this period, some agents have continued obtaining services. President Dikbahadur Khatri stated that strict action will be taken against those who defy the decision and their memberships will be revoked. Additionally, employment agencies abroad will be informed about this matter. The association’s 15-point demands include resolving policy issues in foreign employment business, service fee regulation, and withdrawal of punitive measures. Although services are intended to be halted in the first phase of the protest, the issuance of pre-approvals and labor approvals by the department reveals contradictions between the association’s decision and the ongoing business activities.