Human rights experts on Thursday urged the government to reconsider the age limit restriction it has imposed on Nepali women seeking foreign employment, especially the Gulf.

 

They made the clarion call at a forum titled ‘Policy dialogue on gaps and strength on human trafficking laws and its linkages to protectionists approach on migration.’ Participants said the government enforcing age limit and other restrictions on women seeking foreign employment exposes them further to exploitation and human trafficking. The government’s move attacks women’s fundamental human rights by denying them free movement and their right to employment.

 

The government permits Nepali women aged 24 and above to work in the Gulf and Malaysia. The third amendment to the government’s Directives for Housemaids in April 2016 had banned Nepali women working as domestic help in countries without a bilateral labour agreement.