The government says it has a fixed quota for foreign employment in Gulf countries as well as other foreign destinations, however, youths bound for an unknown territory are being taken for a ride. 

People are required to pay Rs 20,000 if they are recruited for foreign employment in Qatar. However, manpower companies have been charging up to Rs 150,000 per person as fee for arranging foreign employment, according to sources. 

Due to lack of appropriate government mechanism to register complaints of swindling and forgery, cases related to foreign employment have been rising of late. 

According to a youth who had approached a manpower company for foreign employment in Qatar and was subsequently cheated, he suffered a lot while lodging complaint at the local level. “I got my money back from the manpower company, but they still have my passport,” he lamented. 

Although manpower companies are opening their branches without licence and due procedure, the local administration has not been able to curb the practice. It has been learnt that the government agency responsible for monitoring such malpractice is not taking proper action due to alliance of these manpower agencies with leaders, administrators, and others. 

Kaski Chief District Officer Krishna Bahadur Raut, said the District Administration Office had inspected manpower agencies after complaints were registered. 

Following the rise in complaints from migrant workers, Ministry of Labour and Employment has established an office of Safer Migration under District Development Committee in Kaski. The office runs counselling and training sessions for aspiring migrant workers. 

Safer Migration Project Kaski Coordinator Maiya Gurung, said the counseling section focused on youths seeking passport as well as in dealing with companies that hold the passports of applicants. Besides, it also works to help the relatives of deceased migrant workers in receiving compensation, said Gurung. The project is currently monitoring Dansingh, Kalika, Dhital, Dkikur Pokhari, Mijuredanda, Sardikhola, Kahun, Hemja, Armala and Bharatpokhari of Kaski.

Published on: 27 January 2015 | The Himalayan Times