NHRC expresses concerns over plight of 54 Nepali workers held hostage in UAE

Published On: July 31, 2024 09:52 PM NPT By: Sabita Khadka

KATHMANDU, July 31: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concern over an incident in which 54 Nepali workers have been held hostage for over a month in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) while seeking foreign employment. The NHRC has sent letters to the Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), urging them to take necessary action and address the issue.

A manpower company named Osho Recruiting Agency Pvt Ltd, located in New Baneshwor, Kathmandu, had sent them for employment as per the labor contract. Although they were sent to the Tornado Group in the UAE to work as gardeners, they have faced problems because they did not receive the work as stated in the labor contract.

After the commission sent a letter to draw the attention of the relevant authorities regarding the victims being held captive in the UAE, the DoFE has verbally informed the NHRC that they have asked Osho Manpower to submit a clarification.

According to Kamal Thapa Kshetri, under secretary and in-charge of the migrant sector at the NHRC, a letter was sent to the MoFA and the DoFE, highlighting the difficulties faced by the youths who went to the UAE for foreign employment.

Under Secretary Kshetri stated that although informal information about the rescue efforts from the MoFA has been received, no formal information has been provided. He also mentioned that the DoFE has informed the NHRC that it will call Osho Manpower for an explanation regarding the victims held hostage in the UAE.

"We sent letters to the MoFA and the DoFE to facilitate the immediate return of the victims from the UAE," he told Republica, "It is the DoFE's responsibility to hold the manpower agency accountable, seek explanations, and issue directives. In that regard, the DoFE has responded. We have received information that attention has been drawn to the matter."

He said, "We have received informal information that the DoFE is working on the mission. However, we have not received any formal updates yet. Once all the work is completed, they should provide us with all the details," he stated.

According to Gurudatta Subedi, information officer at the DoFE, a letter was received from the NHRC. He mentioned that they are planning to call Osho Manpower for clarification.

Earlier, Republica reported that complaints had been received from victims who were confined in a single room with more than 25 Nepalis, packed like sheep. The victims complained about not having enough water to drink during the heat and feared dying of hunger. Those who were held hostage had arrived in the UAE through Osho Manpower in two separate groups.

The victims reported that the second group, which arrived in the UAE on June 13, and the first group, which had arrived earlier, were duped with the promise of working as gardeners but were instead assigned to tasks such as overseeing dense forests near the Saudi Arabian border and harvesting dates. The victims complained about not being able to endure hunger and having to beg for food from others.

The victims claim that Osho Manpower charged them about Rs 200,000 each for a labor contract that promised work such as planting flowers and pruning flower plants.

Osho Manpower had promised them a salary of 1,200 dirhams (about 43,668 Nepali rupees). According to the victims who are currently held captive in the UAE, 38 people were sent in the first group and the remaining 16 in the second group.

The victims reported that agent Phulbabu Yadav and the manpower agency were giving them threats instead of help when contacted. The 54 individuals who reached the UAE are desperately seeking help to return home safely.

According to Govind Rijal, spokesperson for the Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Social Security, all the victims in the UAE have been relieved of their problems. "We addressed their issues by sending labor officers to resolve the matter," he said. "They are no longer in trouble, and I also received confirmation via email that their issues have been resolved," he added.