As many as 1,300 Nepali migrant workers, including nearly 300 women, working for the Qatar-based United Cleaning Company have lost their jobs following the firm’s collapse.

 

Since the closure of the company, Nepali migrant workers have been staying in separate camps in deplorable conditions. The employer has cut off power supplied to one of the camps where female migrant workers have been housed.

 

The company laid off 2,500 workers, who are from Nepal, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and some African countries.

 

Nepali workers have complained of no pay for the past three months. Also, the company has not renewed visa for most workers, according to Renu Karki, who went to work with the company five years ago.

 

“We have no idea where we should go now. We all are stranded in these camps where electricity supply is irregular,” said Karki, originally from Ilam. “We haven’t heard anything from the company representatives. Most of us are surviving on the money saved for departure. Some are also borrowing from their Nepali friends.”

 

Nepali workers have appealed to the Qatari authorities including human rights organisations for help. Many of them want to return home after collecting their salary while others want to work even if it means switching the company.

 

Many like Sanju Sundas, who returned to Nepal, have lost the hope of getting back their jobs. “I couldn’t wait any longer as there was no hope for work in the company. Also, it looked improbable that the company would allow us to work in another company. Many Nepalis are thinking of coming back,” said Sundas.

 

The troubled workers have requested the Nepali Embassy in Qatar to mediate a solution. An official said the embassy was closely following the developments even as it lacked the exact number of Nepalis losing their job.

 

“These workers are left with two options. They can change their company, which is the demand of many Nepali workers. The other option is returning to Nepal,” said the official, adding that the embassy was coordinating with the concerned agencies to resolve the crisis.