Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Families of workers who lost their lives during foreign employment will now receive Rs 1 million in compensation.
Earlier, the government was providing Rs 700,000 as compensation for families of workers who died abroad.
The cabinet meeting on Thursday approved the sixth amendment to the Foreign Employment Regulations, 2007, which increased the compensation amount to Rs 1 million, according to the Foreign Employment Board Secretariat (FEBS).
Tikaram Dhakal, the spokesperson for the FEBS, said that the new regulation will come into effect after it is published in the Nepal Gazette. “After the Dashain festival, families of deceased workers will receive Rs 1 million in compensation,” he added.
Until 2017, families of deceased workers were getting Rs 300,000 in compensation. Families of deceased workers at present can receive up to Rs 1.4 million in compensation from insurance companies, depending on the policy terms. After this regulatory change, the total compensation, including insurance and other benefits for the deceased’s family, will exceed Rs 2.4 million, according to FEBS.
Workers heading to foreign job destinations are required to contribute up to Rs 2,500 to the welfare fund. Those going for employment for less than three years must pay Rs 1,500, while those going for 3 to 10 years are required to pay Rs 2,500. The Board uses these funds to provide compensation to workers who die during foreign employment.
On average, families of about 20 deceased workers receive compensation from the board every week, data maintained by the FEBS shows.
The Board has arranged for families of deceased or disabled workers to apply for relief through their respective local units. The compensation amount will be directly credited to the beneficiary’s bank account. The FEBS also covers medical expenses for injured or disabled workers, according to the regulations.
