More Gurkhas will lose their jobs in the British Army as part of further work on British Defence restructuring, according to the British Embassy in Kathmandu.

Around 320 Gurkhas will lose their job in the second round of redundancies launched by the British Army.

“As part of further work on British Defence restructuring, the British Army today notified those individuals who have been selected for the second round of redundancies. Around 320 Gurkhas have been selected out of the 2,900 jobs to go,” said a statement.

The Brigade of Gurkhas has been growing in size since modernisation in 2007, which also allowed them to serve for 22 years instead of 15. This reduction in numbers has, therefore, been anticipated for some time. “All the affected personnel will be given 12 months’ notice and a comprehensive programme of resettlement into civilian life and help with future employment,” said the release.

In the first of four tranches, some 140 Gurkhas were told on Tuesday that they have been selected for redundancy earlier. The decision is part of the British Army’s long-term plan to reduce its army strength to 93,000 by 2015 from the current 100,000. Although the redundancies are categorised as compulsory and voluntary, all Nepali servicemen have been asked for compulsory departure. One of the prestigious British newspapers, the Guardian reported last September that the redundancy plan is “heavily imbalanced against the Gurkhas and the number of Gurkhas deemed redundant is disproportionate.”

Published on: 13 June 2012 | The Kathmandu Post