Hong Kong, which is also a global metropolitan and international financial center, was the most favorite destination for Nepalis, especially women workers, due to long standing relations between Nepal and Hong Kong in the past. It was restricted for Nepalis four years ago, citing overstay and other reasons.
Baburam Acharya, secretary at the Ministry of Labor and Transport Management (MoLTM), said the ministry has written to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) to take diplomatic initiative to reopen the lucrative market for Nepali youth.
“Keeping in view with the rising complaints about undocumented status of Nepalis in Hong Kong and its negative impact on Nepal´s foreign employment, we took initiative to reopen Hong Kong for Nepalis,” Acharya said on Thursday.
Hong Kong stopped taking Nepali workers since 2005 due to the bad track of overstay and rising marriages between Nepali workers and Hong Kong citizens.
During the last fiscal, only 65 Nepalis left for Hong Kong while the number was 199 in the previous year.
United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) has long been lobbying for reopening Hong Kong for Nepali workers.
“We have been raising voice for reopening of Hong Kong for Nepali workers as Hong Kong has one of the best rules and regulations for the greater rights of migrant workers. Even a domestic worker can earn at least Rs 30,000 a month there,” said Saru Joshi, Regional Program Manager of UNIFEM.
Joshi said Nepali workers, especially women, would feel more safe in Hong Kong as UNIFEM has been working there in collaboration with Asian Migrant Center and Domestic Women Workers Union to safeguard the rights of Nepali women.
“Our study has found that Hong Kong is the best recipient country in terms of safety and remuneration of women workers,” Joshi said.
Nepali women find jobs mostly at beauty parlors and department stores, and as domestic helps and security guards in Hong Kong.
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