Hom Karki

Twenty one Nepali migrant workers in Qatar are left in the lurch after their employer denied them regular payment. The workers said that the employer has not issued visa on their passports, rendering them illegal.

They have approached the Nepali Embassy and the Department of Labour in Qatar to seek help. They have also filed a case against their employer in the Qatar i Labour Court. Following pressure from several quarters, their employer agreed to send them back to Nepal, but never kept his word.

On Tuesday, the workers boarded a bus for the airport in Doha, intending to return to Nepal. However, they could not reach the airport after their employer denied them exit papers in a breach of his earlier promise. The workers, who eat and sleep on the bus, said that they would not get off the vehicle until their employer agreed to issue them exit papers.

“We’ve been cheated. Our employer agreed to send us back to Nepal but never kept his promise,” said Binod Parajuli of Jhapa. He added they were surviving with the help of their friends. Another victim Tara Prasad Baskota said they were pressing authorities for justice. Many are yet to repay the money they borrowed before leaving for Qatar .

“I came here nine months ago after paying Rs 110,000,” said Ram Chandra Mahara of Mahottari. He has sent only Rs 30,000 to his family so far. He received one month’s salary after working for two months.

Published on: 12 March 2014 | The Kathmandu Post