4,035 migrant Nepali workers died abroad in three years

Kathmandu, May 29: A total of 4,035 Nepali who had been abroad jobs died from the fiscal year 2077-78 BS (2020-21) to 2079-80 BS (2022-23).     

According to data from the Foreign Employment Board, 870 Nepali migrant workers also suffered injuries or fell ill during this period.     

Over the past three years, there has been a concerning rise in the number of deaths and illnesses among Nepali migrant workers. The percentages of these incidents were 18.50% in the fiscal year 2077-78, 31.95% in 2078-79 BS, and 49.54% in 2079-80 BS. Despite the fall in deaths, the cases of mutilation and illness have soared over these years.    

The challenges faced by Nepali migrant workers include adverse weather conditions in destination countries, increased workloads, liquor consumption, conflicts with colleagues, familial pressures, lack of awareness of local laws, technical errors in handling and the operation of machinery, traffic accidents, workplace incidents, burns, suffocation, drowning, and illnesses, as highlighted in the report.     

In the last fiscal year, out of 1,250 fatalities, 27.96% occurred in Malaysia, followed by 26.36% in Saudi Arabia, 17.98% in the United Arab Emirates, 17.32% in Qatar, 6.04% in Kuwait, and 4.43% in other nations. It is alarming that these fatalities occurred despite the completion of medical tests before departure.     

The report urges the government to investigate the root causes of these deaths, implement awareness programs, and provide psychosocial counseling services among others for Nepali migrant workers. (RSS)