30,000 Nepalis return home from West Asia

Kathmandu, Apr. 25: More than 30,000 Nepali nationals have returned home from West Asian countries following the outbreak of conflict in the region. The entire region is in turmoil following a war break out between Israel-USA and Iran. 

Ramkaji Khadka, Joint Secretary and chief of the Central Asia, West Asia and Africa Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), said at a press briefing on Friday that 21,000 Nepalis returned from Qatar alone.

However, the government doesn't know whether these people returned due to the prevailing situation or on their regular leave and vacation. 

A total of 87,819 individuals from the region have so far registered their status through an online portal launched by the MoFA’s consular services department following the conflict. Foreign workers in hotels and tourism sector in the West Asian countries have been highly affected as the conflict has drastically reduced the number of tourists visiting the region. 

But the MoFA has not received any compliant from Nepalis working in hospitality industry there. More than 1.72 million Nepalis are working in the West Asian nations. The Ministry is soliciting updates from Nepali missions in Tel Aviv, Doha, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Manama, Kuwait City, Muscat, Cairo and Jeddah, along with the Consulate General in Dubai.

The government has also resumed issuing labour permits and re-entry permits for foreign employment abroad, which had been suspended in view of the security situation in West Asia. The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security reopened approvals for all destinations following a recommendation from the MoFA, informed Khadka.

Meanwhile, efforts are under way to secure the release of Nepali national Amrit Jha, who was detained along with a vessel in Iran’s Hormuz area during the conflict. The ministry said he is expected to be released soon. 

Spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry Lok Bahadur Paudel Chhetri said that of the 10 Nepali nationals currently in Iran for work, two are preparing to return home, while the remaining eight have reported that they feel safe and are staying in the country. 

"We have requested them to return to Nepal," said Chhetri, "The government remains serious about the evolving situation in West Asia and the safety of Nepali nationals in the region."

Chhetri also said that an invitation has been received from the Government of India for a visit by Prime Minister Balendra Shah, and initial preparations are under way. 

Earlier, during his visit to Mauritius to participate at the Indian Ocean Conference (10-12 April), Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal had informed journalist that PM Shah was visiting India soon. 

Meanwhile, 612 Nepali nationals stranded in online scam centres in Southeast Asian countries have been rescued. Among them, 487 were rescued from Cambodia, 111 from Myanmar, eight from Laos and six from Thailand. Arrangements are being made to repatriate an additional 53 individuals after issuing travel documents. 

Fourteen Nepalis have been arrested in Cambodia, including five on charges of organised fraud and nine on other offences.