Department of Foreign Employment, police rescued 60 victims in six months Improving coordination among stakeholders has helped control trafficking of women migrant workers. The rescue of 60 trafficking victims by police and the Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE) in six months is an indication of success. The Metropolitan Police Range rescued around 30 girls in the last six months. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) also rescued around 30 victims in Kathmandu. Around 12 girls, ready to be taken abroad through the Tribhuvan International Airport, were rescued one month ago. This incident came to the light when a conflict arose among traffickers. Similarly, police took under control seven girls kept in a room at Panipokhari-based rented room on a tip-off of local people. Later, it was revealed that the women were promised of jobs in Kuwait. On April 24, the CIB rescued around 10 girls from a rented room at Gajurdhara. They were also about to be sent to Kuwait sans required documents. Police nabbed traffickers and rescued the victims. According to police, the age of most of the rescued women ranges from 18 to 40 years old. All of them are from poor and uneducated family background with huge responsibility upon their shoulders.

 

In most of the cases, the traffickers were sent to DoFE for further investigation. Police say the engagement of organised transnational human trafficking rackets makes them difficult to nab the suspects. CIB chief Upendra Kanta Aryal said Nepal has emerged as a transnational point for trafficking of migrant workers. “The airports of both the countries have been used for trafficking. The open border and involvement of rich people often hinders police to nab human smugglers.” Investigations show poverty and job scare at home force women to fall prey to traffickers. Low departure costs and ignorance of laws are the reasons behind choosing illegal ways to land in foreign countries. Traders often mobilise middlemen who have direct contacts with the source persons. Owners in the Gulf prefer undocumented workers because they can be exploited without legal hassles. An investigation of the Metropolitan Police Range shows some women were being taken on travel visas for prostitution in the countries like Dubai and Malaysia. Some of the rescued were working in the bars and dance restaurant in Kathmandu. DoFE Director General Purna Chandra Bhattarai said they have been resolving the suspected cases of trafficking of migrant workers with the CIB support. “We have been doing our best to control human trafficking coordinating with the CIB. We must make a strong law to tackle with it,” said Bhattarai. Beside agents, some travel operators and hotel owners were also found to be engaged in trafficking women, he said.