Labour and Employment Ministry concerned over safety of Nepalis in Iran, Israel

Kathmandu, June 18: The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security has decided to write to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs requesting it to direct Nepal’s diplomatic missions to take necessary measures for ensuring the safety of Nepali workers in Israel and Iran. 

This move comes in response to the ongoing conflict between the two countries and aims to mitigate potential risks to Nepali citizens residing or working in the affected regions.

A meeting of the concerned stakeholders held under the convenorship of Secretary Krishna Hari Pushkar, also decided to collect regular updates on the status of Nepali nationals in Israel, Iran, and neighbouring affected areas through diplomatic channels.

In line with the meeting's decisions, the Ministry will provide counseling and up-to-date travel information to address the safety needs of Nepalis engaged in foreign employment.

The Ministry has been tasked with staying on standby to carry out relief, rescue, and safe repatriation operations for Nepalis in Israel, Iran, and other affected areas, as required. If necessary, the Ministry will coordinate with third countries for transit arrangements during repatriation efforts.

Furthermore, the meeting has recommended mobilizing the Labour Migration and Foreign Employment Resolution Taskforce, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as an emergency response team to support these efforts.

It has been decided to request the relevant authorities to take necessary initiatives for the security and assistance of Nepali citizens in the respective countries through security diplomacy, and to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation to arrange for a waiver of additional fees that may be incurred in the case of transferring air tickets for Nepalis going for foreign employment to Israel, Iran, and affected neighboring countries.

Secretary Pushkar said the meeting instructed the bodies concerned to prepare the statistics of Nepali citizens currently in foreign employment in Israel, Iran, and other affected neighbouring countries by obtaining labour approval.

The meeting has directed the Department of Foreign Employment, the Foreign Employment Board, and the Social Security Fund to prepare for the expansion of ‘virtual’ and ‘telemedicine’ services to provide mental health counseling services to and the immediate rescue of Nepali citizens in Israel, Iran, and the affected neighbouring countries.

The Ministry has requested for taking necessary precautions as per the notice issued by the relevant country and the Government of Nepal. 

Attendees in the meeting included the secretary of the relevant parliamentary committee and the representatives from the Office of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Departments of Immigration and Foreign Employment, and representatives from umbrella organizations in the private sector. (RSS)