Nepali Migrant Workers Torn Between Fear of Middle East Conflict and Economic Necessity as Work Permits Resume

Kathmandu. Friends advise Libek Mahat, who came home for a short vacation, not to return to Qatar immediately. Fearing the loss of his well-paying job, the 27-year-old from Butwal feels he has no choice but to seek foreign employment. Despite the ongoing conflict, he is proceeding with his trip to Qatar, which had been canceled twice. He says, "Friends tell me not to come, I'm afraid of losing my job."

The war between the US-Israel and Iran began a week after he arrived home. Although initially scared, he shared that he did not want to lose the basis for supporting his family. He earns a monthly income of two lakh rupees working as a chef in a hotel, which he sends home. He explained that no matter how hard he worked in the village, the earnings were just enough to cover expenses with no savings, making abroad the best destination for income generation. Scheduled to depart for Qatar on March 25th, he stated, "I am going, whatever happens; what is the point of staying here without income?"

While young people are compelled to go abroad ignoring the impact of the war, those already overseas are waiting for the chance to return home. Surbeer Lama, working as a security guard for a company in Qatar, has long considered returning home. His wife, Ruma Lama, stated that returning is not feasible. Ruma, from Kavrepalanchok, who lives in Kathmandu with their children, explained that even though she asks her husband to return, the family's situation prevents him from doing so. She says, "If he comes home, who will support the children and you? He is staying there out of compulsion." According to Ruma, he is risking danger in the Gulf to earn wages for their two children's education expenses and the dream of building a house.

Bishal Ghairay, who has been working in Saudi Arabia for 12 years, was happy that the labor permits, which the government had halted for a few days, have reopened. He mentioned that the worry of not being able to work if the labor permits were stopped had been troubling him. He said, "If I go there, I fear for my life; if I stay here, I fear I cannot support my family. The poor face fear everywhere."

Those who came to Nepal on leave want to return to work despite the risks, while those abroad want to return home citing increasing economic recession and their own lack of security.

Bimal (name changed) Rai, a worker at a cafe in Kuwait, wishes to return to his home country if possible. He mentioned that while everything seems normal now, he feels at risk due to bombings near the airport and oil fields. "If I get the chance to return, I am ready to leave my job," he says, "Companies are closing down, and the economic crisis is starting to show."

The Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Social Security had suspended labor permits for countries in the Middle East (West Asia), including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq, Yemen, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, and Israel, prioritizing security due to the impact of the war.

The rush of workers planning to go for foreign employment has increased after the labor permits, which were stopped on Chaitra 3, were reopened at the Department of Foreign Employment. Khilraj Rai, Director at the Foreign Employment Permit Branch of the Department, informed that the number of people reacquiring labor permits online is between one thousand to one thousand one hundred daily.

According to Sujit Shrestha, Senior Vice President of the Foreign Employment Entrepreneurs Association, the challenge for workers in war-affected areas is balancing going for employment and staying safe. He noted that the Government of Nepal needs to be vigilant about security centers during such times and fulfill its responsibility by balancing the protection of its citizens' right to work.

The Ministry of Labor announced that the suspended labor permits were reopened based on the recommendation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Chaitra 3, following pressure from the workers and the demand of the Department of Foreign Employment. In a press release, the Ministry stated that it decided to re-issue labor permits for Nepali workers employed in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Yemen, Jordan, and Turkey among the suspended countries, and for Nepali workers who came to Nepal on leave and wish to return for employment in the aforementioned countries. However, the government stated that labor permits remain suspended for Iran, Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, and Lebanon.

According to Ministry Spokesperson Pitambar Ghimire, labor permits have been issued for specific countries for Nepali workers who came home on leave and wish to return to employment. He mentioned the need to address the sentiment of Nepalis who wish to return home as well as those wishing to go abroad again for work.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lok Bahadur Poudel Chhetri stated that the decision to re-issue labor permits was made only for Nepali workers who came home on vacation and might lose their jobs if they cannot return on time. Spokesperson Chhetri urged Nepali workers in conflict-affected areas to return home only if absolutely necessary, and otherwise, to remain safe where they are. "The situation is normalizing; we have urged them to stay safe where they are," he said. According to the data from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 1.729 million Nepalis are employed in Gulf countries.