March 28: Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security, Dol Prasad Aryal, has clarified that the government has decided not to issue work permits to anyone going to Russia.

Speaking at a programme organised by Rastriya Swatantra Party on Wednesday, Minister Aryal, who is also the vice-chair of the party, mentioned that individual work permit for Russia has now been closed.

The ministry took such a decision following concerns that Nepali citizens have been recruited in the Russian Army against the policy of the government. He shared that the ministry is studying the decisions taken during the previous minister's team in approving the demand of foreign employment entrepreneurs to recruit workers for Russia.

The labour minister explained that the government is responsible for the rescue of Nepali citizens who have gone overseas for by acquiring work permits in case they face crisis. He added that the government will also coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to rescue citizens opting for foreign employment without taking work permits.