Nepal not in position to help its migrant workers
As Nepal lacks strong voice in international arena, it has not been able to help Nepali migrant workers who face severe forms of violence and discrimination in foreign lands, government officials admit.
Speaking at an interaction program in the capital on Tuesday, Director General of the Department of Foreign Employment Binod KC said that host countries get alarmed when India or some other nation raises concern about its citizen working in that country. “But our voice is not taken seriously which makes it difficult to rescue our citizens when they are in trouble,” KC said.
He also admitted that though it is mandatory for workers to get training according to their job selections, the government has not been able to implement the policy. “Many migrant workers fall in trap later as they land in the foreign country without needed skills,” KC said. “There must be around 7 million Neplis working outside, many of who are undocumented. It"s really a serious issue,” he added.
Sharu Joshi, program manager for migration at UN Woman, Nepal said that many of the Gulf countries themselves have shown due concern for undocumented Nepali workers. And the government needs to respond to their concerns positively. Joshi also pointed out that Nepal had labor surplus until some years ago. “But now, we already have labor deficit. The country should seriously bring policies to address this issue,” she said.
Journalists from 15 districts including Gulmi, Sindhupalchowk and Rupandhi had also shared their experiences on the issue during the program jointly organized by UN Women and People"s forum with the support of European Union. According to the media persons, number of women moving to the Gulf countries for job has remarkably come down after the government banned women below 30 years of age to work as house maids in those countries. Gaganshila Khadka, who reports for several media from Gulmi, noted that the policy has but encouraged some women to sneak out through India which has made them much vulnerable to exploitation. “From Gulmi women go to Malaysia, Dubai, Quatar and many other golf countries. After the government banned below 30 years of women to go these countries for housemaids" job, lesser women are going there. However, some are going there through India,” she said.
Published on: 1 May 2013 | Republica
GET IN TOUCH