15 Nepali migrant workers stranded in Qatar

Khotang, July 12

As many as 15 persons, including four youths from Khotang district who reached Qatar for foreign employment, have been stranded in the Gulf country.

Counselor Ambika Dahal at Khotang-based Information and Counseling Centre said that Pradi Rai and Umesh Katwal from Majhuwagadi Municipality and Arpan Rai and Jhalpan Rai from Rupakot Majhuwagadi Municipality, of the district had been stuck in Qatar. The other youths hail from Bhojpur, Dharan, Morang and Jhapa districts.

The youths have been taking shelter at other Nepali workers’ residences in Qatar. “They want to return home after they were told to do work that was different from what was stated in their contract papers,” Dahal added.

They had reached the Gulf country through Rapti Manpower company in Kathmandu three months ago.

The youths from Khotang are learnt to have reached Qatar through a manpower agent named Tej Bahadur Katwal.

Dahal said that Pradip’s father and Umesh’s father had registered their complaints last Sunday at the centre, urging the government to help their sons return home safely. She added that the other youths are yet to be identified.