Banking News – The number of people seeking assistance over foreign employment-related fraud, domestic abuse, labour approval issues, and worker rescue cases has been increasing at Birtamod Municipality in Jhapa District.

According to Homanath Bhattarai, Employment Coordinator at Birtamod Municipality, many migrant workers—particularly women employed in Kuwait and other Gulf countries—have approached the municipality with complaints of domestic abuse, recruitment fraud, and visa-related issues.

“Since 2023 (2080 BS), more than 2,000 people have received counselling and consultation on foreign employment,” Bhattarai said. “Each year, around 400 to 500 individuals also visit the Employment Service Centre for assistance with obtaining labour approval.”

He noted that fraud cases have increased in recent years as more people travel abroad on visit visas and rely on misleading advertisements circulated through social media instead of following official recruitment procedures.

According to Bhattarai, many young job seekers have suffered financial losses and legal complications after being lured by false promises of employment, particularly in European countries.

He stressed that workers should obtain official labour approval before leaving Nepal, warning that those who travel without it may face legal difficulties and become ineligible for insurance coverage, social security benefits, and financial assistance provided by the Foreign Employment Welfare Fund.

The municipality’s Employment Service Centre currently assists migrant workers with labour approval applications, document preparation, and online processing. It also coordinates support for workers facing health emergencies abroad and helps families of migrant workers access financial assistance from the Foreign Employment Board when immediate family members are diagnosed with critical illnesses.