Kathmandu: Foreign employment agencies have strongly opposed the skill testing and certification center that Saudi Arabia planned to launch in Kathmandu, arguing that the initiative was introduced without adequate coordination with the Government of Nepal.

Saudi authorities had planned to begin a skill assessment program for general workers from a newly established center in Basundhara, Kathmandu, on Wednesday. However, the launch ceremony was disrupted when a large number of foreign employment entrepreneurs arrived at the venue and staged a protest.

During the demonstration, protesters removed signboards displaying “Skill Certification Program” and chanted slogans against what they described as a “Saudi syndicate.” They also dismantled gates and promotional materials installed for the inauguration ceremony.

The Saudi Ambassador to Nepal was scheduled to attend the event, but was unable to participate due to the protests.

Objections Over Unilateral Implementation

Foreign employment agencies claim that the mandatory skill certification program contradicts the spirit of the Nepal–Saudi labor agreement and was being imposed unilaterally without consultation with the Nepali government and relevant stakeholders.

They warned that any attempt to implement the program without mutual agreement and coordination would not be accepted.

Following the protests, Saudi authorities reportedly postponed the immediate implementation of the program. Industrial Training Institute Nepal announced that the Skills Verification Program (SVP), which was scheduled to take effect on Wednesday, has been temporarily suspended.

Additional Costs for Workers

Under the proposed system, Nepali workers seeking employment in Saudi Arabia would have been required to obtain mandatory skill certification before receiving labor approval.

Workers would have had to pay:

• USD 50 as an examination fee, and
• USD 50 for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL),

bringing the total cost to USD 100 (approximately NPR 15,000) per applicant.

The process required applicants to upload relevant documents and certificates through the online Skills Verification Program (SVP) platform.

Saudi authorities had also stated that visas would not be issued to workers who failed to provide proof of passing the skill assessment.

Concerns Over Practicality

The certification requirement was initially targeted at workers engaged in loading and unloading, portering, trolley operation, and construction-related jobs. However, details regarding which categories of construction workers would be required to undergo testing have not been clearly specified.

Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies (NAFEA) President Dik Bahadur Khatri criticized the initiative, describing it as a “syndicate in the name of skill testing.”

According to Khatri, the policy would place an unnecessary financial burden on migrant workers and create additional barriers to overseas employment.

“Many workers have already spent years working in countries like Qatar and have gained practical experience. Making them wait for another month and pay around NPR 15,000 for certification is not justified,” he said.

He also questioned the need for skill testing for workers engaged in basic labor jobs such as loading and unloading, calling the measure impractical and controversial.

Government Says It Was Not Informed

The controversy has also highlighted a lack of communication between Saudi authorities and the Government of Nepal.

Officials at the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security stated that they had not received any formal notification regarding the mandatory skill certification requirement.

The ministry reportedly became aware of the issue only after foreign employment agencies submitted a memorandum and media reports began circulating.

A ministry official said that while there is nothing wrong with ensuring workers possess the required skills, the fees associated with the certification process appear excessive.

“There has been no coordination with us. We learned about the issue through media reports,” the official said.

Ministry spokesperson Pitambar Ghimire said the government is gathering detailed information before reaching a conclusion.

“There is no objection to sending skilled workers abroad. However, we need to fully understand the nature of the program before making any decision. So far, we have not received any official communication on the matter,” Ghimire said.

Existing Agreement and Growing Discontent

Nepal and Saudi Arabia had previously agreed to cooperate on the recruitment of skilled workers, but the implementation of that agreement had yet to move forward.

Industry representatives argue that Saudi Arabia’s decision to make skill certification mandatory before fully implementing the bilateral agreement has triggered widespread dissatisfaction among recruitment agencies.

Earlier efforts to promote skilled labor migration included plans to establish a polytechnic institute in Mahottari with Saudi financial support aimed at enhancing workforce skills. However, those initiatives have not yet been fully realized.

With the suspension of the Skills Verification Program, discussions between Nepal and Saudi Arabia are expected to continue as both sides seek a mutually acceptable framework for worker certification and labor migration.