NRNA Welcomes Government’s Decision to Grant Labor Permits to Nepalis Working in Iraq

Kathmandu — The Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) has highly praised and welcomed the Nepal government’s recent decision to document and provide labor permits to Nepali workers currently employed in Iraq.

Issuing a press release on Sunday, the Association described the move as a historic and positive initiative to bring thousands of Nepali workers—who have been facing various hardships due to a ban imposed two decades ago—under a legal framework.

This government decision has cleared a legal path for nearly 30,000 Nepali workers holding Iraqi residency cards to travel back and forth to Nepal, while also granting legitimacy to their employment.

Despite working safely in hotels, hospitals, airports, and multinational companies in Iraq’s Kurdistan, Baghdad, and surrounding areas, Nepalis had been deprived of passport renewals and consular services due to the ban. With this new arrangement, they will now be covered by insurance, the Foreign Employment Welfare Fund, and the social security umbrella.

The issue, which had been repeatedly brought to the government's attention by a delegation including NRNA President Mahesh Kumar Shrestha, NCC Iraq President Binod Shrestha, and Dr. Badri KC, has finally reached a resolution.

The Association expressed its belief that this step will further assist in bringing the knowledge, skills, and capital earned abroad into Nepal. It also expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister and all relevant agencies, noting that this prepares the ground for developing Iraq as a safe labor destination in the future.