Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) has urged the government to resume issuing labor approvals for Russia.
High-ranking government officials say the NRNA has been pressing the Office of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Labour, Employment, and Social Security to take a decision as soon as possible.
NRNA President Dr Badri KC on Friday submitted a memorandum to Labour Minister Sharat Singh Bhandari on Friday. In the memorandum, the NRNA has said that the suspension of labor permits to Russia and the Czech Republic has created difficulties for thousands of Nepali workers. “The suspension has caused many Nepalis to lose their jobs. We have demanded the government for immediate resumption of new labor approvals for these countries,” KC added.
The NRNA also drew the attention of the government toward the plight of Nepalis stranded in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.
The government suspended labor approvals for Russia in January 2023 following the death of Nepalis while serving in the Russian Army in the Russia-Ukraine war. Despite this, Nepali youths have continued to join the Russian military via alternative routes, including the UAE, India, Qatar and European countries.
Labour Minister Bhandari, however, said the government will not rush in resuming the approval process. “Since the Russia-Ukraine war has not ended, the ministry will take a decision after careful consideration,” Bhandari told the NRNA delegation.
Last week, Nepal’s newly appointed Ambassador to Russia, Dr Jang Bahadur Chauhan, held talks with NRNA’s Chief Executive Officer, Rajendra Kumar Raut, regarding the resumption of labor approvals for Russia.
According to the Department of Consular Services, 49 Nepali youths have died while serving in the Russian military. Families of victims, however, have ben claiming that 54 have died so far, with 379 others out of conact.
