Protecting Nepali Nationals Abroad

Nepalis who seek employment overseas face hardships at every step. With greater vigilance and commitment from the government, many of these challenges could be prevented. Since job opportunities within Nepal remain scarce, labour migration has become a necessity. Yet, while working abroad, Nepali workers are often denied the facilities promised under their contracts and are left without adequate guidance or support from their own government. Although Nepal has established embassies and deployed labour attachés in several countries, such measures alone are insufficient. Even in the absence of such posts, state officials must remain committed to safeguarding citizens abroad. Harsh weather conditions, excessive workloads and unsafe working environments have already claimed the lives of many Nepalis prematurely. The recent tragedy in Kuwait, where 16 Nepali workers died after consuming methanol-laced alcohol, is a grim reminder of government negligence. These workers—mostly with only basic literacy, far from their families, and labouring under extreme conditions—needed regular counselling and strong institutional backing. Instead, they felt abandoned by the very government that should have protected them.