Hundreds of Nepali migrant workers are expected to return Bahrain soon as the government lifted a partial travel ban.

The Nepali Club in Bahrain sent recommendations to the government saying that the situation is now stable in Bahrain. The Club urged Kathmandu to allow about 200 workers with valid residence permits to leave for Bahrain.

There is no Nepali diplomatic mission in Bahrain and the Club has been co-ordinating with embassy officials in Saudi Arabia for documentation and other consular services.

“Nepali foreign ministry responded by saying that they have lifted the travel ban,” Club president Durga Bahadur Giri, said, adding that they expect workers on vacation and some families to reach Bahrain soon, as they were literally stuck in Kathmandu because of the travel ban.

“These workers have jobs in Bahrain and were concerned they might lose their livelihood if they do return immediately,” he added.

Nepal has one of the biggest expatriate communities in Bahrain with more than 25,000 people working mostly as security guards, construction workers and cleaners.

Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal last month instructed Labour and Transport Management Ministry and Foreign Ministry to find out details of Nepalis in Bahrain following anti-government protests.

Giri said it was not easy for Kathmandu to lift the partial ban on workers, including on those with residence permits and new visas to for Bahrain.

“At the moment, the ban is lifted on those workers who have valid residence permit in Bahrain,” he added. “New hires will still have to wait before a decision is announced.”

Embassy officials were expected to arrive last month, but they had to leave for Oman because of the Nepali migrant workers’ suffering there. The situation in Oman was not stable and they had to identify locations for their eviction.

Published on: 15 April 2011 | The Himalayan Times