HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

Opportunities to work in foreign land attract many Nepalis, especially those living in rural parts of the country where they are mired in poverty for the lack of employment opportunities. Everyone wants to fly abroad for employment, make some money and return home to lead a happy life. But things do not always turn out the way they wish.

Ram Bahadur Musahar, 26, of Kawasoti Municipality-7, Nawalparasi, had left his family three months ago to work in Malaysia, just like thousands of other Nepalis. But Musahar had to return without any substantial income. Instead, he came back with physical disability because of an accident at work in Malaysia. “I was left with no other option, as the company I worked for did refuse to provide me treatment,” recounted Ram Bahadur. Migrant Nepali Coordination Committee and Safe Immigration and Consultation Centre Kawasoti had helped him return home. He now owes Rs 140,000 in loan.

Twenty-nine-year-old Sushil Malla Thakuri, of Tamsariya VDC-2, has similar plight to share. Thakuri spent as many as 14 months behind bars for ‘changing company’. He suffered from tuberculosis and diabetes while in jail and he, too, owes a huge amount in loan. He had reached Malaysia four years earlier. So is the case of Dhaubadi’s Khem Bahadur Gharti. He recently returned home after surviving an accident six months ago.

With the entire country lacking employment opportunities, thousands of youths fly abroad in search of greener pastures, but not all succeed. Many Musahars and Thakuris and Ghartis will be there soon — maimed or six and indebted — if the state fails to look into this one of the serious issues, say the victims.

Published on: 23 November 2014 | The Himalayan Times