Mahendranagar, July 26:

Thirty-seven Nepalis, who were rescued from war-torn Lebanon, reached Mahendranagar this morning via the Banabasa transit point. Those entering Nepal today comprise 24 women and 13 men.

They were rescued from Lebanon with help from the Indian Government and were sent to Nepal from New Delhi by the Nepali Embassy there.

Those rescued complained about exploitation of Nepalis there, especially women. Lok Kumari Burja, of Mayagdi, said she saw four Nepali women killed in Lebanon last year for not yielding to exploitation. Burja went to Lebanon after paying Rs 45,000. She said the manpower firm assured her she would get Rs 10,000 but she got only Rs 8,000. “I could save not even a rupee.”

Menuka Rai said she fell sick the very second day on the job. Her employer sacked her. Rai, who took a loan of Rs 28,000 to go there is worried how to clear her debt. Rina Siwakoti of Jhapa-6 reached Nepal from Lebanon but is worried about her husband who is still there. She complained the Nepali Embassy in Delhi refused to let her make a phone call home.

Lok Kumari Burja alleged Nepali agents in Beirut, Anand Khadka and Lekhnath Dahal, slice off 50 per cent of the salary of Nepali workers.

Naresh Budhathoki said he will never advise Nepalis to go abroad. Rescued Nepalis said there has been no casualty of theirs in Lebanon so far.

Govt ban

KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Labour and Transport Management has stopped sending Nepali workers for foreign employment in Israel and Lebanon due to the war-ridden situation in these two countries, until further arrangement is made in this regard. According to a press release issued here on Wednesday, attempts have been made to bring back Nepali nationals working in Lebanon. — RSS