Fending for themselves

Lack of opportunities at home has forced lakhs of Nepalis to seek foreign employment. However, absence of bilateral agreements with labour importing countries has led to untold suffering of Nepalis working abroad. It is also not uncommon for Nepalis to be detained and questioned by immigration authorities for not possessing necessary documents. Strict action should be taken against the unscrupulous agents who are involved in sending workers abroad illegally.

On the other hand, most Nepali workers readily put their lives at risk to fulfil their financial obligations towards their families back home. As there is no immediate solution to the problem of unemployment in the country, the government should sign labour agreements with the countries that import Nepali labour. Indeed, a beginning has been made, and the process should be extended. It is equally important that the manual workers leaving the country be equipped with necessary training and skills.

Sanchita Nepali, Butwal-7, Rupandehi

Myopic

At a time when people are facing increasing hours of power cuts, any hike in the price of the petroleum products would make their lives even more miserable, “Cooking gas, diesel, kerosene become dearer again” (THT, Jan. 22). The government was forced to withdraw the decision within 38 hours of the announcement, as nationwide protests erupted. It was unwise to take a hasty decision without weighing the consequences. Any hike in the oil price would increase the cost of other commodities, and as always, the poor would be the hardest hit. In the past, the government had formed a committee to examine the ways of improving the NOC management. What happened to the committee’s recommendations?

Navin Pradhan, Chhauni, Kathmandu

Neglected

Apropos of the news report “Bid to amend laws biased against women” (THT, Jan. 23), women still remain a neglected lot in spite of the statutory provisions to end discrimination against them for the amended laws have seldom been implemented.

Sujata Koirala, via e-mail

Negotiate

This is in reference to the news report “Bank manager shot dead in Rajbiraj” (THT, Jan. 23). The murder of the manager of the Rajbiraj-based Agriculture Development Bank branch in broad daylight is a sign of worsening law and order situation in the country, especially in the Tarai. To bring peace and harmony to the Tarai region, the agitation in the Tarai should end, and for this, negotiation is the best course. On the other hand, the political parties in the Tarai who have resorted to violence should instead put forward their demands through peaceful means.

Budhram Mandal, Kharsal Tole, Rajbiraj

Self-serving

Most present-day woes of Nepal can be attributed to the most arrogant, selfish and autocratic leader in the history of democratic Nepal, G P Koirala. The elevation of his daughter Sujata Koirala to the ministerial level epitomises his aspiration to keep political turmoil alive long after he is gone.

Ramesh B Shrestha, Lalitpur