MPCD rescues foreign employment victims

Kathmandu, January 10

The Metropolitan Police Crime Division has rescued and brought home four persons, including a woman, who were promised decent job and lured abroad by human traffickers.

The MPCD in coordination with the Embassy of Nepal in Dubai and other concerned agencies went to their rescue and brought the foreign employment victims home yesterday. Those rescued are Birendra Sahani, 32; Rabindra Sahani, 30; and Dhamani Kumar Sahani, 30, of Mahottari; and Malati Malla Thakuri, 20, of Nawalparasi. They were rescued in separate operations.

The youths of Mahottari were promised job in a Dubai-based five star hotel when they entered into a contract with a broker some five months ago. “Contrary to the agreement, the broker caused the trio to work with a different employer for over 14 hours a day without timely salary. They were not allowed to have rest and medical treatment even as their health deteriorated,” said the MPCD.

Similarly, Thakuri was not provided the job and salary as promised by the manpower agency, and hence was living without food and accommodation for many weeks. Acting on a complaint lodged by their families back home, SSP Sarbendra Khanal, MPCD in-charge, and his team established contact with the embassy and other national and international agencies to rescue them.

The MPCD, supported by non-profit international organisations, has stepped up efforts to prevent human trafficking and identify, rescue and rehabilitate the victims. Bearing in mind the problems, the MPCD has also set up a hotline (1177) to collect information about human trafficking and Nepalis stranded in foreign countries. This toll-free number receives an average of 30 calls daily. However, the caller should dial 9771177 while making a call from abroad.

Victims or informers can contact and give information or inputs that lead to the arrest of perpetrators and rescue of foreign employment victims from any part of the world. The MPCD has already rescued at least 80 victims from home and abroad in the past four months. The government does not have exact data on Nepalis awaiting rescue in foreign countries.