Labour Assistance Desk Established at Tribhuvan International Airport for Migrant Workers

The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security has established a ‘Labour Assistance Desk’ at Tribhuvan International Airport to assist workers departing for foreign employment. Staff at this desk provide essential information on visas, tickets, fees, and legal procedures. The desk also offers free support and necessary contacts for handling the repatriation of deceased Nepali workers from abroad. Kathmandu, 9 Baishakh.

The Labour Assistance Desk was set up at Tribhuvan International Airport to facilitate migrant workers going abroad for employment. According to the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, the desk operates through cooperation among the Ministry, Department of Foreign Employment, Foreign Employment Board, and related agencies. The desk has been established following a ministerial decision to promote the welfare and rights of migrant workers.

Employees from the Ministry, Department, and Board stationed at the desk provide information regarding visa procedures, free visas, free tickets, fees paid through manpower agencies, and issues concerning workers’ employment status. Bhim Bahadur Basnet, Branch Officer of the Department of Foreign Employment at the assistance desk, stated, “The purpose of establishing this desk is to ensure that workers complete the necessary legal processes and travel smoothly when going for foreign employment.”

Since its launch on Tuesday, the assistance desk has attracted significant interest, particularly from returning workers and those planning to re-deploy abroad. Ministry spokesperson Pitambar Ghimire said, “This assistance desk was created to prevent migrant workers from falling victim to fraud under any pretext.” While the desk was built with funding from the Social Security Fund, its effectiveness has been limited due to challenges in further organizing the facility.