Chasing dreams, he went to Malaysia four years ago. But when he landed at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) two years later, he was not in a condition to recognize his own homeland and family.

Ram Newas Ahir had 'partially' lost his memory during his stay in Malaysia. His dreams of a prosperous future shattered after his employer Samsung Electronics (M) SDN, BHD in Malaysia sent him to jail for not having work permit.

"I got worked for the company for just a month. Then I was sent to jail for not having work permit," he informed. He even informed that his company didn't return his passports and other documents for his return home.

Ahir, who hails from Kapilvastu, narrated his harrowing tale thus: "No body misbehaved with me in the jail but I couldn't see the torment of other prisoners. The time I spent in jail is the saddest part of my life," he said, adding, "I was sent to Nepal after spending almost one-and-a-half years in jail."

He had paid Rs 120, 000 to Prism Overseas Employment Pvt. Ltd based in Lazimpat for employment in Malaysia as a factory worker. But he didn't earn even a penny there.

Ahir's sufferings did not end here. It took him almost two years to regain his memory. After intensive psychological care, he now remembers his name, his home and recognizes his family members, thanks to Pourakhi, an NGO working for the welfare of returnee female migrants.

Pourakhi has reunited him with his family members.

"We found him in a miserable condition at the TIA airport and decided to help him. We are glad that we could reunite him with his family after 16 months," said Manju Gurung, chairperson of Pourakhi.

As per the government's record, he is a legal migrant worker who deposited Rs 1,000 at Foreign Employment Promotion Board (FEPB) and took work permit. Unfortunately, the Foreign Employment Act, 2064, of Nepal doesn't include mental illness as a condition for compensating the victim.

Director of FEPB Tika Bhandari said cases like this will be dealt as "special cases" as the employment law does not include mental illness as a condition for compensating the victim.

However, life has offered him a second chance now. At this point of time, he has learned to smile and is desperate to see his family in Kapilvastu. His wife, children and other family members are waiting to see him.

Malaysia is a popular labor destination for thousands of Nepalis but the government has yet to sign a labor pact with the country. According to government records, more than 500,000 Nepali migrant workers are currently in Malaysia.

Published on: 1 April 2015 | Republica