Nepal Govt enforces Rs 10,000 cap on foreign employment service fees

The Ministry of Labour, Employment, and Social Security has begun strict implementation of a Rs 10,000 ceiling on service fees charged to migrant workers. Minister Deepak Kumar Shah warned that recruitment agencies exceeding this limit will face legal consequences. Although the rule applies to key destinations such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Malaysia, industry representatives argue that the cap does not reflect actual costs. Data shows only 7% of employers cover all migration expenses, leaving most workers to bear the burden. Authorities have also started questioning outgoing workers at Tribhuvan International Airport to verify fee payments.