The youths phoned home to give the sad news plunging their families into gloom. “We have been devastated by the news of detention of our son abroad, where he had gone to earn money, at a time when creditors are starting to ask for repayment of loan,” rued Gobindra Limbu, father of NB.[break]
NB, 22, Dal Bahadur Magar, San Bahadur Magar, Prem Bahadur Magar, Ramesh Khanal and Bhupendra Ghimire of Tandi-8 had gone to Libya eight months ago through Broadway Overseas in Damak. The relatives said the company has detained the six, who had flown together, and they have been denied food. The relatives said they are sending money to Libya to feed the youths.
“Dad, we have been detained here. Please make arrangements for us to return to Nepal,” Gobindra quoted his son as saying over the phone five days ago. “Please take the initiative to free our sons,” Gobindra pleaded to Republica. Gobindra said 51 other workers have also been detained by the Libyan company.
The manpower company had promised the youths a monthly salary of Rs 20,000 in a construction company. “The company hasn´t paid them since reaching there and has not even agreed to send them back,” Gobindra, who had borrowed Rs 160,000 for sending his son to Libya, said.
The relatives have urged the government to facilitate a safe return of the youths. “Mother has been crying ever since she heard the news,” NB´s elder brother Hari Bahadur said. He said the manpower company has not taken the issue seriously and is trying to evade the issue saying they will get paid in the course of time.
Tej Bahadur Yonghang, proprietor of the manpower company at Falgunanda Chowk in Damak-1, claimed that the news of their detention is false and said the six were sent through Paradise Manpower Company, Buddhanagar, Kathmandu. The relatives produced documents saying Broadway had sent the youths to Libya charging Rs 160,000 per head. Broadway, however, has not given them job guarantee letters.
“I have just worked as a liaison. Paradise did all the paperwork," Yonghang said.
Paradise Manager Jaya Limbu, on the other hand, denied sending the youths to Libya. “We don´t have any relation with Broadway,” Jaya Limbu said on the phone.
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