KATHMANDU: The Nepali embassy in Kuwait has advised the government not to send Nepali workers there citing security reasons. Around 7,000 Nepalis, mainly housemaids, are working in Kuwait.

There are lots of problems plaguing the housemaids. “They are not getting salary, and they are suffering from mental torture and even sexual abuse,” a press note of the embassy read. “So it will be better to close the destination.” The majority of Nepali women enter Kuwait through illegal routes, such as via India.

The embassy has advised the government to discourage women from seeking employment in Kuwait. “Verification of labour contract must be strict before giving permission,” it said. The government has adopted a policy of not encouraging women to go Gulf countries including Kuwait but the Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE) is issuing permission to those who have relatives in destination countries. The Nepali embassy in Kuwait has also requested the Kuwait government not to issue visa to Nepali women without consulting the Nepali government and diplomatic mission. “The Kuwaiti government should not issue visa to women if they do not have permission from DoFE,” it said.