KOSH RAJ KOIRALA

Qatari Minister for Labor and Social Affairs Dr Abdullah bin Salih Al-Khulaifi is arriving in Kathmandu on a four-day official visit to Nepal on April 4.

Minister Al-Khulaifi is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Nepali counterpart Tek Bahadur Gurung and discuss "various aspects of cooperation and mutual interests between the two friendly countries, including labor and employment issues," according the Embassy of Qatar in Kathmandu.

Secretary at Ministry of Labor and Employment Bhola Siwakoti said Nepal will raise the issue concerning the welfare of Nepali migrant workers in Qatar during the visit of Al-Khulaifi. "We already have a MoU signed with Qatar on issues related to migrant workers. There will be discussions with Qatari minister on ways to resolve various practical problems faced by Nepali migrant workers," he told Republica.

Nepal and Qatar have signed agreement on regulating the use of Nepali workforce in Doha on March, 25, 2005 and additional protocol to the agreement of regulating the use of Nepali workforce on March 21, 2005. Officials said the two sides will discuss ways to improve the condition of Nepali migrant workers during the visit of Al-Khulaifi.

Among other things, the Nepali side will raise the issue of providing Nepali migrant workers with free visa and free air tickets to Qatar. It is estimated that more than 4,000 Nepali migrant workers are currently working in Qatar.

Al-Khulaifi will be accompanied by Head of Minister's Office Mohamed Saed Al-Solaiti, Director of Labour Inspection Khalid Abdullah Al-Ghanim, Director's Assistant of Legal Affairs Salih Ali AL-Khaldi and Public Relations Advisor Ali Abdullah Ashkinani.

While the delegation led by the Qatari minister will arrive in Kathmandu on April 4, they will fly back home in on April 7. Besides holding bilataral talks with State Minister for Labor and Employment Tek Bahadur Gurung, Al-Khulaifi is also scheduled pay courtesy call on President Dr Ram Baran Yadav and Prime Minister Sushil Koirala during his stay in Kathmandu.

The visit of Al-Khulaifi to Nepal comes at a time when there are concerns about the working conditions of migrant workers in Qatar, which continues to remain a popular labor destinations for Nepali workers. International human rights organizations have been urging the Qatar government to improve human rights conditions of migrant workers, especially in view of Qatar preparing to host FIFA World Cup 2022.

Responding to calls, Qatar has announced various reform measures, including ending the Kafala system and mandatory exit permit for the migrant workers from the employer to be able to leave the country.

Published on: 1 April 2015 | Republica