The desperation seen among women in going abroad puts them at risk of being trafficked
Remittances from migrant workers now make up about a fourth of Nepal's gross domestic product (GDP), making it the single largest source of foreign exchange, but behind this huge contribution is hidden the sufferings of millions of Nepalis that nobody is doing anything concrete to ameliorate. The latest report of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on the Human Rights Situation of Migrant Workers suggests that human trafficking and human smuggling in the guise of foreign employment are rampant. This has resulted in long working hours, poor salaries and even non-payment of wages of unsuspecting migrant workers who were promised lucrative jobs in the destination countries by middlemen.
Nepali workers are mostly engaged in low skilled labour, doing 3D jobs, that is, work that is dirty, demeaning and dangerous. As a result, workplace accidents caused by non-existent safety measures are often reported, leading to disability. The exploitation of the migrant workers starts right from Nepal, where irregularities have been found in the implementation of the 'free visa and free ticket' provisions.
Most of the Nepal's migrant workers are concentrated in the Gulf countries and Malaysia, and much of the irregularities are reported from these countries.
The monthly salaries in the Gulf countries and Malaysia are said to be just three-fourths of the salary prescribed by the government. Total working hoursthat include overtime range from 11 hours a day to a high of 14.5 hours in these countries. Migrant workers leave for the destination countries through both legal and illegal channels, with the latter especially being used by women as the government has prohibit-ed them from working in the Gulf countries. Although the government had introduced the provision in good faith following many cases of physical and sexual abuse of women by the employers, women activists see it as unconstitutional and going against gender equality. The desperation seen among women in going abroad for work using Indian and Sri Lankan routes puts them at risk of being trafficked by organised criminal groups, which operate in different parts of the globe. Nepali women and girls have been found stranded in war-torn countries like Syria and Iraq.
Given that the country relies so heavily on remittances to keep its economy going – with export earnings not even meeting 40 per cent of the oil import bill, let alone other imports – the government can no longer pay lip service to the woes of the migrant workers, many of whom face being trafficked by unscrupulous agents. Since exploitation, injury and deaths are increasingly being reported among Nepali migrant workers, it is only right that they should be given an orientation on occupational safety measures before embarking on their journey. Knowledge about weather conditions, traffic rules, wearing a helmet at all times and some education about mental illnesses like depression and anxiety would go a long way in curbing injury and deaths. While sending millions of Nepalis abroad to earn handsome remittances is never a solution to the country's precarious unemployment problem, the government must scout for countries that have strict laws regarding treatment of foreign workers.
Perennial problem
Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has been facing pressure from Independent Power Producers Association of Nepal (IPPAN) to build transmission lines and sub-stations along the major river corridors, where hydel projects have already been built or are in the final stage of completion. Although the country is currently generating around 3,100 MW of electricity during the wet season, most industries in the Tarai region are reeling under acute power shortage and relying on captive plants, forcing them to run at below capacity. On the other hand, the hydel projects have not been able to evacuate electricity in full capacity as the NEA has failed to build transmission lines and sub-stations in time. This has led to huge economic losses to both the power producers and industries.
The 102-MW Madhya Bhotekoshi Power Project in Sindhupalchowk is a case in point. It is in the final stage of construction. However, the concerned Chinese contractor has yet to build a sub-station at Bahrabise. This is not an exceptional case. There are several other projects relating to the construction of transmission lines and sub-stations that have also got delayed by years. We cannot expect a smooth supply of electricity as long as this problem remains unaddressed.
A version of this article appears in the print on August 1, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
