Kathmandu, Sept. 19 -- A dispute over recruitment and service fees has stalled two proposed agreements to send Nepali workers to Israel's agricultural and home-based care sectors, despite demand for labour in both areas.

Under draft protocols sent to Nepal, agricultural workers would have to pay an Israeli agency 3,825 shekels, including VAT, or about Rs193,000. Workers going into home-based caregiving would pay 6,443 shekels, or about Rs325,000, also including VAT.

Nepal has objected to the fees because they do not fit its policy of government-led recruitment designed to minimise costs for migrant workers. Israel, however, says private agencies are legally authorised to charge foreign workers for services related to their placement and...