Five Nepali migrant workers have been stranded in Saudi Arabia.

Dipak Sonar of Nepalgunj‚ Sujan Thapa of Khotang ‚ Rajan Shrestha of Kathmandu‚ Suraj KC of Tanahun and Rajesh Karki of Sunsari have been stranded in Saudi Arabia.

Dipak had flown to Saudi Arabia six months ago. “I am in a difficult situation. Please help me return home‚” Dipak said over phone. Dipak complained that he had flown to work as an electrician at Abdul Abib Klunaibet Company but was made to work as labourer. Dipak and Sujan‚ have been sheltering at their friend’s apartment after they fled from their companies‚ whereas the other three are out of contact. “We have not been able to contact three of our friends‚” Dipak said.

Sujan had flown to Saudi Arabia to work at a petrol pump‚ but he was made to crush the boulder. He had landed in Saudi nine months ago. Dipak complained that his plea to the Nepali Embassy in Saudi Arabia had fallen on deaf ears. He had sought help to return home.

Dipak’s father‚ Tribhuwan Sonar said his son had initially not been informed that he had been left in the lurch. “But‚ he calls me every day now and asks me to help him return home‚” Tribhuwan said.

Dipak had gone to Saudi Arabia with the support of Pratap Bom of Nepalgunj through Madhav Pandey‚ an accountant at Innovative HRD Private Limited. Dipak had paid Rs 85‚000 to go to Saudi Arabia.

Pandey admitted that Dipak was sent to work as an electrician. “We came to know he was made to work as a labourer‚” Pandey said. He added that it was a mistake on Dipak’s part to flee from the company that had hired him.

Published on: 10 September 2013 | The Himalayan Times