"Nepali Migrant Workers Face an Infertility Crisis", 27 April 2025

..Nearly 3.5 million Nepalis toil abroad, mostly in Gulf nations, their remittances cutting poverty by 27% and sustaining countless families. But behind these economic gains lies a hidden toll: bodies worn down by grueling work in searing heat. And they often return home infertile. A study of 186 infertile men in eastern Nepal found that 46% were Gulf returnees — making migration the most significant risk factor. While more research is needed to fully understand the connection between migration and infertility, doctors point to the extreme heat and harsh, often abusive conditions many men face in the Gulf as likely contributors.

..“Half of all our infertility cases daily come from Gulf returnees,” says Dr. Jwala Thapa, an obstetrician and gynecologist at the hospital. ..The Gulf Cooperation Council countries of Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and United Arab Emirates saw record-breaking heat in July 2024, with temperatures in Riyadh reaching 46 C (116 F).

..Still, the Gulf remains the top destination for Nepali migrants.

...

Rajendra Bhandari, president of the Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies, says they’re pushing for regulated work periods in Gulf countries, especially during peak summer.

.. While acknowledging the challenges of migrant work abroad, Dandu Raj Ghimire, spokesperson for Nepal’s Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security, warns that imposing strict bilateral agreements could reduce global demand for Nepali workers.