June 30: Nepal has been listed among countries carrying high risk of COVID-19 infection by a dozen of labour destination countries as the country has failed to acquire COVID-19 vaccine on time.

Countries like Kuwait, Malaysia, and Dubai which are considered to be the prime labour destination countries have not taken in any Nepali migrants as yet. These countries have listed Nepal in the red zone. This has  prevented migrant workers from going to these countries for jobs.

Nepali migrant workers have not been able to leave for Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar either. These countries are willing to welcome migrant workers under some conditions but those conditions seem hard to meet. One of the major requirements of these countries is that migrants need to be compulsorily vaccinated.

COVID-19 protocols prepared by Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Kuwait have made vaccines a mandatory requirement. These countries have adopted a policy to take in migrants inoculated with vaccines manufactured in the US and European countries. Sujit Shrestha, General Secretary of Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies, said since the government is delaying the process of acquiring vaccine, there are chances Nepal will remain in the red zone. 

He further said that labor destination countries are refusing to take in migrant workers who are not vaccinated. This has pushed foreign employment sector of Nepal in a crisis. According to Shrestha, the government needs to take diplomatic measures to take forward the vaccination campaign.

Though the government is being pressurized to bring vaccines, there are slim chances the vaccines will be available immediately. Dr Krsihna Prasad Poudel, Director of Epidemiology and Disease Control Division of  the Ministry of Health,  said that the government is making persistent efforts with European countries as well as China, India and the United States to acquire COVID-19 vaccines. According to him, COVID-19 vaccine will be here soon. However, the Ministry of Health is not sure when it will happen.

According to the manpower agencies, only a small number of workers have gone to Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar after the government relaxed the prohibitory order and facilitated international flights. Turkey, which is considered an attractive destination for Nepalis, has also banned direct flights from six countries, including Nepal, from Monday, June 28 citing risk of COVID-19. 

Stakeholders sat that the government should take immediate steps to send Nepali migrants to foreign countries as Nepal's economy is dependent on remittance. 

A study conducted by foreign employment agencies show that 1.2 million people have been jobless since the start of the pandemic. The data includes people who have lost jobs in the country and returnees from foreign countries. However, it doesn't include returnees from India. The study shows that around 500,000 Nepalis seek for foreign employment every year.