In a deeply distressing and harrowing episode, around 1,000 Nepali youths are currently stranded in Kuwait, facing abject conditions and a future marred by uncertainty. These young souls embarked on a journey to earn a livelihood and support their families back home, but instead, they find themselves trapped in a web of deceit, unemployment, and unpaid wages. The culpable parties in this tragic tale are certain Nepali manpower agencies that have abandoned their duty of care and left these vulnerable youths to fend for themselves. It is imperative that the government takes action against these unscrupulous manpower agencies to ensure that foreign employment remains safe, orderly, and dignified for our citizens. These brave individuals ventured to Kuwait with dreams of a better life, lured by promises made by manpower agencies operating in Kathmandu. These agencies, including Baibhav Overseas Pvt Ltd, Omega Overseas, Jaljala Overseas, New SB Overseas, and Gurung Management Overseas Pvt Ltd, allegedly exploited the hopes and aspirations of these young workers. Promises of lucrative salaries and decent working conditions were made, but once the youths reached Kuwait, they were confronted with a stark reality.

The stories of these stranded Nepali youths are heartbreaking. They paid substantial sums, ranging from Rs 160,000 to Rs 200,000, to these manpower agencies and agents, with the promise of earning a monthly salary of Rs 85 Kuwaiti Dinar. However, the actual wages they received were a mere fraction of what was promised, with many earning only Rs 12,000 to Rs 18,000 per month, if they were fortunate enough to secure any work at all. The initial allure of earning 120 Kuwaiti Dinar for 12 hours of work or 150 Kuwaiti Dinar for 16 hours vanished into thin air as they struggled to find employment opportunities. The plight of these Nepali youths is not an isolated incident. It highlights a systemic issue in the foreign employment sector, where certain manpower agencies prioritize profits over the welfare of the workers they send abroad. The unregulated nature of this industry has allowed unscrupulous agencies to exploit the dreams and aspirations of countless young Nepali citizens. It is a stain on our nation's reputation, and it must be addressed urgently.

The stranded youths have turned to the government and various organizations for help, but their pleas have reportedly fallen on deaf ears. The Embassy of Nepal in Kuwait, which should be their sanctuary in times of trouble, has been criticized for not adequately addressing their concerns. Instead of championing the rights and welfare of its citizens, the embassy is perceived to favor employer companies and manpower agencies. Some victims have even reported that when they sought assistance from the embassy regarding contractual issues with their employers, they were merely advised to return to Nepal without any substantial efforts to mediate the issues with the company. It is disheartening to witness the suffering of these young Nepali citizens who placed their trust in the system. They are currently residing in squalid conditions in seven camps in Kuwait, their dreams shattered and their futures hanging in the balance. They are not just statistics; they are our brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters, and their suffering should resonate deeply within us.

It is the moral duty of the government and relevant authorities to take immediate and decisive action against the unscrupulous manpower agencies responsible for this crisis. Accountability must be established, and those found guilty of exploiting these vulnerable youths must face the consequences of their actions. Furthermore, it is imperative that robust regulations and safeguards be put in place to prevent such incidents from recurring in the future. It is high time that we, as a society, stand up for the rights and dignity of our citizens abroad and ensure that foreign employment remains a safe, orderly, and dignified option for those who seek it. The plight of the stranded Nepali youths in Kuwait is a tragic reminder of the urgent need for government intervention in regulating the foreign employment sector and holding unscrupulous manpower agencies accountable. These young individuals deserve justice, and their suffering should serve as a catalyst for meaningful change in our approach to foreign employment. We cannot stand idle while our fellow citizens suffer. It is time for action, for justice, and for the restoration of hope for these stranded Nepali youths.

 
• Nepali_youths
 
• dire_straits
 
• Kuwait