The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said at least 500 Nepali workers in Saudi Arabia are still undocumented, and it’s taking necessary steps as to bring them back to Nepal safely.

MoFA spokesman Deepak Dhital said many Nepalis had missed the chance of being able to stay legally in Saudi Arabia as well as getting an out-pass to return home during the seven-month amnesty period offered by the Saudi government from April to October 2013. They are now among the runaway workers.

“Some 500 Nepalis, who missed out on the chance of becoming legal migrant workers during the amnesty period, have come into contact with our embassy in Riyadh,” Dhital said. “Our mission is to take every step to ensure their early return home.”

During the amnesty period, more than 25,000 Nepalis had applied for legal status that would allow them to continue in the Gulf nation, while 7,000 took the out-pass and returned home without paying fine. Those who had missed the opportunity offered by the amnesty, became targets of the government’s arrest campaign following the expiry of the amnesty period on October 31, 2013. Around 200 Nepalis were taken into custody last November.

Udaya Raj Pandey, Ambassador of Nepal to Saudi Arabia informed that 62 workers returned to Nepal last week after paying fine and by getting a one-way out-pass. Likewise, 200 workers are in contact with the embassy and are seeking clearance to return home.

Published on: 12 January 2014 | The Himalayan Times