January 5: The Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE) has decided not to issue work permits to Nepali nationals aspiring to work in war-torn Russia and Ukraine.   

The government body took such measure as increasing number of Nepali nationals were found to have joined the Russian army illegally. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that ten Nepalis serving in the Russian army have been killed so far after Russia launched a war against Ukraine in February two years ago.

DoFE director Kabiraj Uprety told the state news agency RSS that granting work permits individually and institutionally to the Nepali nationals for both the countries has been suspended.    

"Work permits have been suspended for Russia and Ukraine until further arrangements so as to minimize loss to the Nepali nationals going to the war-ravaged countries," RSS quoted Uprety as saying.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged Nepal citizens not to get recruited in the military service of the war-ravaged nations on the basis of false information or temptation.

Earlier on August 1, the government issued a notice stating that the government has no policy of approving the recruitment of any Nepali citizens in foreign military forces expect in the national army of a few friendly nations in accordance with the long-standing agreement. 

The foreign ministry has also urged all Nepalis to compulsorily receive no objection certificates (NOC) from the Nepali embassies and consulates in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the UAE, Saudi Arab, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain if they are traveling to Russia via those countries. Earlier, the NOC was issued only from Consular Service Department under the foreign ministry for those going to Russia for other reasons except for government assignment, study purpose in Russian scholarship and businesses.    

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has repeatedly urged Russia not to recruit Nepali citizens in its military rank and file and to send back any Nepali citizen who is currently serving in the army. 

The ministry has also sought information from Russia about the number of Nepalis who have joined the Russian Army, in addition to the injured ones and their condition.