Koirala urged the visiting Qatari Minister for Labor and Social Welfare Abdullah Bin Salih Al-Khulaifi when the later paid him a courtesy call at the prime minister's official residence in Baluwatar on Monday.
"I urge you to take care of our people working in Qatar. They are contributing to your development. They are also contributing to our bilateral relations," Prime Minister Koirala's foreign relations advisor Dinesh Bhattarai quoted the prime minister as saying.
Over 400,000 Nepali nationals are currently working in Qatar.
The prime minister's call to help ensure safety and welfare of Nepali migrant workers comes amid news reports exposing miserable working conditions for migrant workers in Qatar. Human rights organizations have demanded improved working conditions for the migrant workers in Qatar, which will be hosting the FIFA World Cup 2022.
Prime Minister Koirala also stressed on the need to punish unscrupulous manpower agents involved in exploiting poor and innocent Nepali workers. "Manpower agents have also caused problems. We will punish those involved in such practice in Nepal. You also take necessary actions to punish those involved in unscrupulous practice in Qatar," the prime minister said.
On the occasion, Minister Al-Khulaifi had said that they are aware of the problem faced by the migrant workers. "Our Prime Minister has been issuing instructions on a weekly basis. We are committed to work for their welfare. I assure you that better initiatives will be taken in the days to come," he said.
On the occasion, Minister Al-Khulaifi also said that Qatar has benefited hugely from the human capital of Nepal. "We will protect them. We will provide them all kinds of protection," he said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Koirala also urged the Qatari minister to invest in Nepal's hydropower development, tourism, medicinal herbs and infrastructures in Nepal. "We hope for investments from Qatar as Nepal will soon witness peace and stability," he had said.
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