Nepal makes work permit mandatory for Indians, asks labour authorities to finalise number of Indian workers in country

Kathmandu: The Nepal government has made it mandatory for Indian citizens who come to work in Nepal’s industries and other institutions to possess necessary work permits. [caption id=“attachment_5263981” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. Reuters[/caption] Nepal’s labour and occupational safety department on Wednesday ordered all its labour offices throughout the country to finalise the actual number of Indian workers working in different sectors in the country. “While inspecting the institutions, the number of Indian workers will be updated. And if they don’t have a work permit then inform the institution to take the work permit is directed hereby,” the letter signed by the department’s industry inspector Prashant Shah, states. Until now, as part of special ties between India and Nepal, no permit was required for Indian nationals working in Nepal and vice versa.  The government’s move could be considered as a part of its efforts to secure the open border that Nepal shares with India. Last month, the Nepal Rastra Bank banned the circulation of Indian currency notes of Rs 200, Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 in the country.  There has been no formal response from the Indian government on this development yet.