Kathmandu – Signs of a possible end to the conflict between the United States and Iran have brought a sense of relief to millions of Nepali migrant workers employed across the Middle East, as well as to their families back home who depend heavily on remittance income.

With reports indicating that the two sides are moving closer to a ceasefire agreement through diplomatic efforts and regional mediation, concerns surrounding the safety, employment security, and livelihoods of Nepali workers in the Gulf region have begun to ease.

According to labour migration data, approximately 1.9 million Nepali nationals are employed in Middle Eastern countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Any escalation of conflict in the region could have posed significant risks to their employment, security, and mobility.

Labour and migration experts say the prospect of a ceasefire is likely to reduce uncertainty surrounding foreign employment and help safeguard Nepal’s remittance-dependent economy. Remittances remain one of the country’s most important sources of foreign exchange and contribute substantially to household incomes across Nepal.

Experts noted that a large-scale return of Nepali migrant workers, which had emerged as a potential concern during the conflict, appears less likely if peace efforts succeed. Such a development would help preserve employment opportunities for Nepali workers and prevent additional pressure on Nepal’s domestic labour market.

Sociologist and labour migration expert Dr. Meena Poudel said that reconstruction and infrastructure development activities in conflict-affected areas could create new employment opportunities once stability returns to the region.

She stressed the importance of strengthening Nepal’s labour diplomacy to ensure safe, legal, and dignified foreign employment for Nepali citizens. According to Poudel, proactive engagement with destination countries is essential to protecting migrant workers during both periods of stability and times of crisis.

Labour law expert and advocate Som Luitel said a ceasefire would help reduce regional tensions and support the recovery of economic activities across the Gulf and wider Middle East. He noted that greater stability would benefit both employers and migrant workers by improving business confidence and labour demand.

Luitel also emphasized that Nepal should develop a comprehensive contingency plan for future geopolitical crises, including clear mechanisms for worker evacuation, emergency assistance, reintegration, and employment management.

The conflict, which began on February 28, had also affected global energy markets. Concerns over disruptions in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz contributed to rising oil prices and heightened uncertainty in international energy supply chains.

With diplomatic efforts now moving toward a potential ceasefire, analysts expect energy supplies to stabilize and pressure on global oil markets to ease. A more stable energy market could, in turn, support economic recovery across the Middle East and help sustain labour demand in sectors where large numbers of Nepali workers are employed.

For Nepal, the prospect of peace offers not only reassurance for millions of migrant workers and their families but also renewed confidence in the continued flow of remittances that play a vital role in the nation’s economy. While experts welcome the apparent de-escalation, they stress that Nepal must use the experience as an opportunity to strengthen crisis preparedness and better protect its overseas workforce in the future.