Kathmandu, 13 March: Labour expert Dr. Rameshwar Nepal has stressed that the government should immediately rescue Nepali workers who are at risk due to ongoing conflicts in various countries in the Middle East. Speaking at a program organized by the Nepal Economic Journalists’ Association (SEJON) on Friday, he said that a large number of Nepalis in the region are currently facing serious problems.
Dr. Nepal expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s statement that the situation does not yet require immediate evacuation. He noted that many Nepalis are eager to return home and argued that the government should not delay rescuing those who feel unsafe and want to go back because the conflict is continuing.
According to Dr. Nepal, around 70,000 Nepalis have already registered their names on the government portal stating that they feel unsafe. “The number could be even higher, because many Nepalis working illegally are hesitant to register on the portal due to fear of legal complications,” he said.
Suggestion to prioritize rescue
Dr. Nepal commented that although the government’s efforts appear positive, the rescue operation has not been as effective as expected. He suggested that pregnant women, undocumented Nepalis, and workers in high-risk areas should be rescued on a priority basis. Based on past experiences during conflicts, he said that host countries tend to prioritize the safety of their own citizens, leaving migrant workers more vulnerable.
He also pointed out that the government has failed to provide clear and adequate security-related information. “The government is only telling people to ‘stay safe,’ but it has not provided realistic information on how to stay safe or what exactly is happening on the ground,” he said. According to him, it is the government’s responsibility to update Nepalis in the region at least two to three times a day with accurate information about the situation.
Stating that many Nepalis there are currently in a state of mental panic, Dr. Nepal urged the government to take immediate and concrete action.
