Nepal Government lifts ban over Saudi Arab with explicit assurance

The Nepal government  has signed a MOU expressing lift the ban imposed on women migrant workers from  Saudi Arabia. The decision came in view of a condition that agrees with the conditions proposed in the memorandum of understanding on the safety and security of domestic workers.

In the past the government had prohibited Nepali women from going to Gulf countries as domestic workers highlighting rampant women abuse and exploitation.

Creating favorable situation meeting  a delegation from Saudi Arabia on Thursday, Nepal requested
a labour pact seeks “explicit assurance” for safety and security of the housemaids from the host nation. The delegation has agreed upon   provisions  of recruitment procedure, minimum wage, and issues relating to rights and welfare of the workers in the MoU.

Similarly issues of  minimum wage of 300 USD, opening community outreach centre for housemaids, and ensuring leave, food and accommodation facilities were talked among the major agendas.

It is estimated that currently there are more than 40,000 Nepali women working in Saudi Arab.Nepal has been sending migrants workers to various countries where Saudi Arabia is the third largest work destination for Nepali workers after Malaysia and Qatar.