The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday requested the Ministry of Finance for Rs 7.5 million to rescue 20 Nepalis trapped in the African country of Madagascar.

A cross-ministerial meeting held at the MoFA between ministries of Finance and Labour decided to expedite rescue efforts and release the money as soon as possible.

“The Finance Ministry is positive about releasing the sum but will take some time to complete the procedure,” said a senior government official. The MoFA has also instructed its South Africa-based mission to initiate the rescue bid.

At least 20 Nepali workers have been stranded in Madagascar for the past four months. Passports of about eight workers have been seized by the owner of a boarding house while others have been living on the streets after landlords kicked them out. The workers said they were facing serious problems regarding food and accommodation as they don’t have any money.

Since Nepal does not have diplomatic ties with Madagascar, the MoFA and the Ministry of Labour have directed the Nepali mission in Pretoria, South Africa, to rescue the stranded workers. The mission is preparing to hold consultations with the High Commission of Madagascar and has urged the stranded Nepalis to send in their passport numbers. Earlier this year, the Nepali mission in South Africa rescued 40 stranded Nepalis. During the meeting on Friday, officials expressed displeasure at the rising trend of Nepalis getting stranded in various countries, forced to go without food and accommodation.

“Foreign employment agencies, agents and brokers take Nepali workers to alien countries and leave them in the lurch, causing the government to step in and evacuate them. This is setting a wrong precedent. Someone commits a mistake and we are forced to pay the price,” said the official.

Once the funds are released, a team of Nepali diplomats from Pretoria and Egypt will coordinate with Madagascar to rescue the workers. Officials form the Ministry of Labour assured that they will leave no stone unturned in arresting the guilty party and that a police investigation is under way. One absconding agent has been caught.

Published on: 29 July 2012 | The Kathmandu Post