Roshan Sedai

Young Overseas, a recruiting agency in the capital, obtained pre-approval from the Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE) for 75 workers to be sent as “production operator labour” to Qatar and Saudi Arabia, six weeks ago. But while issuing visas for these workers, the employer in the labour destination mentioned that they were being hired as “production operator helpers”.

After finding a discrepancy in the profession mentioned in the demand letter and visa letter issued by the employer, the DoFE denied the final work approval to these workers.

“I have been visiting the DoFE for one and a half months. The officials say they cannot issue visas because the two letters do not match. Around 105 workers going through my recruitment agency are currently stranded here,” said Thir Mani Poudel, head of Young Overseas.

Foreign employment recruiting agencies claim that nearly 50,000 workers going to Gulf areas and Malaysia are currently stranded in the country, mostly in the capital, with visas in hand. During a field investigation, the Post found hundreds of files awaiting approval scattered around the department, some files stuffed into trash bins.

Manpower representatives claim of the 2,000 workers who apply for final work approvals, only around 30 per cent are sanctioned. They say the Department is refusing to issue the certificates even for minor errors, like spelling of the owner’s name, and minor changes in the profession. “We had never experienced such a problem before. They have even stopped issuing work approvals for Malaysia, citing an expiry of the issued visa,” said Kumud Khanal, owner of the Fusion International Overseas. 

Officials at the Ministry of Labour and Employment said that the use of a work contract containing varying details is the main cause of most of the industry’s problems, including fraud, and the mistreatment of workers abroad. They said many workers run away from employers due to this problem, putting themselves at higher risk of abuse and exploitation.

Since the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) arrested nearly two dozen staff from the DoFE, and four manpower companies who were sending 77 workers with fake documents, the department has further tightened its policy on such discrepancies.

Although the government’s harsh measures may have been intended to prevent workers from being misused, aspiring migrant workers who have already spent thousands of rupees to fly abroad have been hit hard.

Even after paying exorbitant fees, they have been forced to spare a huge amount on lodging, food and transportation. “It’s been like my regular job to wait the day. Medical certificates have been outdated twice, but there is no sign of work approval,” said Navin Tiwari, who is in line to go as a security guard to Qatar.

Sontosh Bista from Kanchanpur, who is going to Qatar as “document controller”, said he was forced to spend days in the capital due to a difference in the identity of his job in the visa letter and the actual job. In his visa letter, his job has been mentioned as labourer. “I had planned to go through the airport by paying an additional Rs 20,000 to airport officials,” he said, who has already spent around Rs 100,000 in travel, accommodation and food in the capital.

Manpower agencies have claimed they are not at fault, as it is the employers who send letters with different job description in the two letters. They said although the final approval is denied if there is such discrepancy to prevent workers from being exploited, this has affected the entire foreign employment business.

DoFE staffers admitted the government’s measures has created problems, but claimed that it is not as severe as portrayed. Divash KC, DoFE spokesperson, said various problems including the belated deputation of staff, staff failure to adapt to the work environment, and technical errors in the document have worsened the situation.

The Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE) said it is aware of the problem and has started work to resolve it. Officials said the ministry is planning to give approval to documents with slight discrepancies. “But we will not give work approval to workers where there is a change in salary, sponsor and major change in job title,” said Buddhi Khadka, spokesperson for MoLE.

The NAFEA has warned the situation is escalating. It said most workers are compelled to spend double the costs while awaiting work approval. “Many are going through India while other’s visas have expired already,” said NAFEA Chiarman Bal Bahadur Tamang.

Foreign employment stakeholders say the key problem lies with the Qatari government and agencies. They said the employers irresponsibly for the change in job details and sponsor from the demand letter to the issuance of visa is largely to blame. The manpower companies assist the process by paying bribes to officials back home in order to get work approval and gain entry through the immigration of the country’s only international airport.

Published on: 5 October 2013 | The Kathmandu Post