The government has fixed the minimum wage for Nepali workers bound for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a preferred destination in the Persian Gulf. It has set the salary for four categories — unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled and professional. 

The minimum wage was set after consultation with government agencies, Nepali embassy in Riyadh, and outsourcing agencies, said joint secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment Binod KC. 

“The new minimum wage for Nepali workers is Emirati Dirham 800 (Rs 18,752). They should get additional money for food,” he said, explaining the minimum wage. 

The government has fixed Dirham 1,100 (Rs 25,784) for unskilled workers, Dirham 1,300 (Rs 30,472) for semi-skilled, and Dirham 1,500 (Rs 35,160) for skilled workers. An additional Dirham 300 (Rs 7,032) has been included in the salary but they will get it separately in all categories, he briefed. 

Professionals will get Dirham 5,000 (Rs 117,200) according to the new wage fixed by the government. Professional workers will get Dirham 500 (Rs 11,720) additional for food. 

According to the new wage criteria, UAE employers must bear lodging, medical, accident and transport cost of the workers. 

About 200,000 Nepali migrant workers are believed to be currently employed in the destination and most of them are unskilled construction workers. Their average earning is Dirham 700 (Rs 16,400). Currently, they are getting Dirham 200 (Rs 4,688) for food. 

The government had fixed a salary of $125 (Rs 10,762) for United Arab Emirates bound workers in 2004, which was later increased to $200 (Rs 17,220).

Published on: 5 November 2012 | The Himalayan Times