Kathmandu, 28 Sep: Following the recent suspension of visa issuances by various countries, Nepalis residing in those nations have begun to encounter significant problems. Compounding this issue are several other factors: non-Nepali citizens are illegally reaching various countries using falsified Nepali travel documents; Nepali workers abroad are engaging in protests and unruly behavior; wartime conflicts are complicating the rescue of Nepali citizens; and budget cuts at Nepali diplomatic missions are affecting service delivery, further exacerbating the plight of Nepalis overseas.
A virtual meeting was recently convened under the leadership of Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai, which included ambassadors from nine embassies in countries where these problems are acute. The meeting focused on concerns and potential solutions. Ministry spokesperson Lok Bahadur Paudel Kshetri confirmed that the discussions revolved around how to resolve these pressing issues. Secretary Rai has consistently emphasized in such meetings the need for good governance, a corruption-free administration, and coordinated, resource-efficient, swift, and effective service delivery.
The ambassadors specifically highlighted the situation of Nepali citizens who travel on visit visas and engage in employment abroad, the trends and risks associated with this practice, and the strategic approaches needed for future migration regulation.
Inter-Ministerial Coordination Gaps and Long-Term Strategy Highlighted
The ambassadors pointed out a critical lack of coordination between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, and Nepal’s foreign missions in effectively addressing labour and migration problems. They stressed the need to formulate a long-term strategy and implement it in coordination with the relevant agencies of the host countries to make foreign employment safer, more orderly, dignified, reliable, and predictable.
Spokesperson Kshetri informed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in the process of understanding the specific reasons behind the visa denials. He claimed that while a suspension of visit visas alone would not have a massive impact, the halting of work visas has indeed created problems in Nepal. “Some Nepali citizens whose visas have expired and others who were in the final stages of the visa process are facing immense difficulties,” Kshetri said. “The pain of a suspension after a long process affects not only the prospective worker but their entire family.”
Comprehensive Solutions Discussed: From Data Systems to Awareness Campaigns
The meeting also involved open consultations between the ambassadors and senior ministry officials regarding the investigation into the recent complaint about approximately two hundred Rohingya from Myanmar using Nepali passports to reach Saudi Arabia for work.
While the initial understanding of the embassies is that the labour destination countries have imposed immediate visa suspensions or quotas considering the global context rather than targeting Nepal specifically, the Ministry is using diplomatic channels to gather specific information. It is claimed that continuous dialogue will lead to a swift resolution of these issues, as reports of suspended visa renewals for workers in countries like the UAE, Malaysia, and Qatar continue to surface.
Discussions with the ambassadors also covered a wide range of potential solutions. These included using an integrated information system and data exchange to facilitate services for Nepalis abroad, enhancing inter-ministerial coordination, establishing rapid response teams, creating an emergency rescue fund, and exploring the possibility of insurance for those on visit visas.
Furthermore, the ambassadors provided suggestions on improving access and coordination with the immigration bodies of host countries, controlling human trafficking, pursuing legal action against those involved, exploring the possibility of implementing controlled travel permits, and negotiating agreements with various countries for rescue and repatriation. The possibilities of launching local awareness campaigns about the difficulties of seeking employment on a visit visa, enhancing institutional capacity, and implementing a data exchange system for those on visit visas were also explored. The ambassadors also briefed Secretary Rai and other senior officials on issues like repatriation problems due to the ‘Kafala’ system in some countries, difficulties faced by domestic workers, country-specific policy differences on visit visas and their consequences, a lack of language and job-related training among those on visit visas, and the need to address the existing staff and budget shortages at the missions.
