30,000 Nepalis in Iraq at repatriation risk

DOHA (QATAR), JUL 25 -
Thousands of Nepali migrant workers based in Iraq will have to return home if the government does not lift its prohibition against visiting the Middle East nation.

After CENTCOM, the Iraqi contracting command company, decided to remove workers belonging to nations that have banned entry to Iraq, Nepali employees are at risk of losing their jobs. It is estimated that there are at least 30,000 Nepalis in Iraq. They had entered the country through various agencies paying a large sum of money—some are said to have paid as much as Rs.300,000.

The Iraq-based Nepali workers have formed a committee to press the government to lift the ban.

Deuman Tamang of the committee said that they have already corresponded with the prime minister’s office, Foreign Ministry and Labour Ministry, with the request of legalising the status of Iraq based Nepali workers.

“We haven’t heard from them so far. If the government does not act now then not only we will lose our jobs, the country’s economy that is largely supported by remittance will suffer as well,” he said.

The government had crossed out Iraq from its

list of countries for foreign employment after 12 Nepali workers were killed by a terrorist group nearly six years ago.

“Things have changed now and the security condition is also improving here,” said Matrika Niraula, who hails from Sunsari district. “The government should seriously consider lifting the ban.”

The CENTCOM has given a July 8-deadline for all ineligible workers to return to their respective countries.

Source: http://www.ekantipur.com/the-kathmandu-post/2010/07/25/top-story/30000-nepalis-in-iraq-at-repatriation-risk/210826/