A new national survey in Nepal has revealed that high recruitment costs remain a major challenge for migrant workers, increasing their risk of debt and exploitation before they begin employment abroad.
The National Statistics Office (NSO) of Nepal, with technical support from the International Labour Organization (ILO), conducted the country’s first national survey on recruitment fees and related migration costs. The findings provide new evidence on the financial pressures faced by Nepali workers during the process of seeking jobs overseas.
Labour migration plays a significant role in Nepal’s economy by creating employment opportunities, increasing household incomes, and supporting families through remittances. However, many workers take on significant financial burdens before leaving the country, making them more vulnerable to unfair practices and workplace exploitation.
The survey found that nearly two-thirds of migrant workers paid recruitment-related costs before securing overseas employment, while around one-third reported paying no recruitment fees. On average, workers needed about 3.3 months of earnings abroad to recover these costs. Women faced a higher financial burden, requiring approximately four and a half months of earnings to cover recruitment expenses.
Workers who relied on unregistered brokers experienced the highest recruitment costs, highlighting the risks associated with informal recruitment channels. The survey also showed that costs and earnings varied depending on destination countries, industries, and occupations, with higher-skilled workers generally earning more than those employed in lower-skilled sectors.
Officials and labour experts emphasized that excessive recruitment fees can undermine the benefits of migration by forcing workers into debt before they start earning. Reducing these costs through fair and transparent recruitment practices is considered essential to ensuring safer migration pathways and protecting workers’ rights.
The survey provides important data for tracking Sustainable Development Goal Indicator 10.7.1, which measures recruitment costs paid by workers compared with their monthly income in destination countries. The findings will help shape policies aimed at improving labour migration systems and reducing financial barriers for migrant workers.
The report recommends stronger enforcement of recruitment regulations, better access to migration information, improved grievance mechanisms, closer cooperation between Nepal and destination countries, and regular monitoring of recruitment costs.
By addressing excessive recruitment expenses and promoting fair recruitment practices, Nepal can help ensure that international labour migration remains a pathway to decent work, economic security, and sustainable development.
