Simkot (Humla): With rising unemployment in the district, local residents of Humla are increasingly moving to China’s Taklakot in search of work.
There has been a growing trend of young people, both men and women, heading across the northern border for employment. Most initially go for six months, taking advantage of temporary job opportunities available there. Instead of remaining unemployed in their villages, they obtain temporary border passes issued by the district administration to work in China and earn money to support their families.
In recent years, unemployed youths have been engaged in jobs ranging from household chores to agricultural labor in Taklakot, rather than relying solely on collecting herbs from forests as in the past. What was once largely a destination for young men has now also attracted young women, particularly for domestic work.
According to Assistant Chief District Officer and Information Officer Rajendra Kumar Chand, the number of young men and women applying for border passes this year has risen sharply compared to previous years. He said that around 11,000 people out of Humla’s total population of 55,000 have already obtained border passes. On average, five to seven people apply for a border pass at the district administration office each day.
Applications for new border passes and renewals have increased since the Hilsa border point, connecting Nepal with Tibet, China’s autonomous region, reopened on May 11. Chand informed that since mid-April, 8,913 new border passes have been issued while 2,066 have been renewed.
The Humla District Administration issues temporary border passes valid for six months. Holders can stay in China for half a year and must reapply if they wish to extend their stay. The Hilsa border remains open only for six months a year, as heavy snowfall forces its closure from mid-November until it reopens in mid-May.
(RSS)
