Nepal requests Qatar to stop workers’ deportation

The request was made during the talks between the officials of the two countries on difficulties in the implementation of the Labour Agreement NEPAL has requested the Qatar government to stop deportation of Nepali workers failing to extend visa. The request was made during the talks held between the officials of the two countries to discuss difficulties faced on the implementation of the Labour Agreement. “It is the job of the hiring company to facilitate visa extension for workers,” said Binod KC, director general of the Department of Foreign Employment and a member of the talk team. He said the government should take action against companies not providing visa to workers. During the first “technical meeting” with the Qatari officials, the Nepali side requested not to arrest Nepali workers and deport them, according to KC. Many Nepalis have filed complaints against their employers in the Nepali Embassy saying their employers’ failure to issue identity cards led to their arrests. During the talks, Nepal also requested for Qatar’s help end the practice of dual contract papers. “Nepali workers come here for work based on the contract attested by the Chamber of Commerce and the embassy. But when workers arrive here, employers make them sign a different contract,” said Budhi Bahadur Khadka, coordinator of the Nepali talk team and chief of Labour Division of the Ministry of Labour and Employment. Khadka said they have asked the Qatari Labour Ministry to tally the second contract with the original one. Even as the Nepal government has fixed the minimum monthly salary of workers at 1,200 riyal, they are not getting the salary due to the practice of dual contact. Qatar is the first preferred labour destination for Nepali aspirants. An estimated 400,000 Nepalis are working in the country. The Nepali talk team also put forth agendas like easy departure for workers whose contract expire or face emergency problem to return home, barring the supply of Nepali workers to other countries from Qatar, insurance policy covering 24 hours, end salary scale provision based on country specific, permission to work for short term to the workers facing lawsuit and provision of interpreter in court and labour office. Qatari officials raised the issue of late supply of workers from Nepal and the workers launching protest programmes. “They have emphasised on the provision that allows companies to bring housemaids through individuals approach,” said KC. He said regarding the delay in supply of workers, the Nepali side told them that it was due to Qatari employees and Nepali outsourcing companies, not due to the government. Khadka said Qatar has taken the talks seriously which was held for the first time after the signing of the Labour Agreement in 2008.