The Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security has stated that no work permits have been issued to send new workers to Iraq. The Ministry of Labor has stated that it will issue work permits to Nepalis working in Iraq and those with residency cards who wish to return to Nepal and continue their employment.

"The government's decision to grant work permits in Iraq is not an opening for new workers in Iraq, both institutionally and individually," said Pitambar Ghimire, spokesperson for the Ministry of Labor. "A work permit will be granted only if they show their Iraqi 'residency card' and a valid visa there when they come to Nepal."

The government had decided in a cabinet meeting on Poush 11 to grant work permits to Nepalis in Iraq. After the murder of 12 Nepalis on Bhadra 15, 2061, the government had banned them from going to Iraq citing security reasons.

Since then, they have been working as domestic workers in Iraq's US base camps, embassies of various countries, petroleum projects, etc. According to Binod Shrestha, president of the Non-Resident Nepali Association, Iraq, this government decision has opened the way for nearly 30,000 Nepali workers to travel to Nepal.

The government had earlier decided to grant legal status to more than 40,000 Nepali workers working in US base camps in Iraq on Shrawan 12, 2067. Thousands of Nepalis were facing employment crisis after the US Army Contact Command (CENTAM) gave a 20-day ultimatum saying that they would be sent back to Nepal if they were not granted legal status. The Ministry of Labor granted legal status after the US indicated through diplomatic channels that it would not send back workers if the ban was lifted.

NRNA, Iraq President Shrestha said that the government's decision would bring Nepalese working in Iraq under the purview of the Foreign Employment Welfare Fund, social security and temporary insurance. 'There is no exact information about how many Nepalis are currently working in Iraq. Based on what the government agencies and the Nepali community have met, it is estimated that there are at least 30,000. They have been deprived of all kinds of facilities from the state when they come from Nepal without obtaining a work permit,' he said.

The Department of Foreign Employment has stated that the work permit process will proceed after the certified decision of the Council of Ministers comes. Department spokesperson Chandra Bahadur Shiwakoti said that they are waiting for the certified decision of the Council of Ministers. 'We are waiting for the certified decision of the Council of Ministers. "The process will move forward after that," he said, "This is not for new arrivals. It is to facilitate travel for those who are on leave.'