At least 250 women trafficked to Dubai every day
KATHMANDU, May 26: Although the government banned the practice in 201, traffickers have continued to send Nepali women to Gulf countries as domestic workers through illegal means, often by colluding with government officials. They primarily target women from rural and economically disadvantaged backgrounds, luring them with false promises of employment abroad.
Committee to government: Send workers in Gulf countries only af...
Sources say traffickers send at least 250 women to Dubai every day under the pretense of visit visas. Previously, applicants had to provide a police report, proof of completing Grade 12, a bank statement, and meet a six-point checklist that required round-trip tickets and other documents.
Travel agencies and traffickers have circumvented these rules. On January 24, 2024 (Magh 10, 2080 BS), the government introduced a six-point guideline to regulate travel under visit and tourist visas. Although the guideline mandates that travelers carry at least USD 500, airline staff—allegedly working with traffickers—have issued boarding passes even to those who fail to meet the requirement.
The government has failed to maintain records of how many women traffickers have sent abroad or where these women currently are. Reports estimate that since the 2016 ban, traffickers have illegally sent around 300,000 Nepali women to Gulf countries to work as domestic workers.
