Kathmandu: A total of 4,035 Nepalis who were in employment in various foreign destinations died in three years—from fiscal 2020-21 to 2022-23, according to data from the Foreign Employment Board. Total of 870 Nepali migrant workers suffered various injuries or fell ill during this period. Over the past three years, there has been a concerning rise in the number of deaths and illnesses among Nepali migrant workers. The percentages of these incidents were 18.50 in the fiscal year 2020-21, 31.95 in 2021-22, and 49.54 in 2022-23. Despite the falling deaths, the cases of mutilations and illness have soared over these years.
The challenges faced by Nepali migrant workers include adverse weather conditions in destination countries, increased workloads, liquor consumption, conflicts with colleagues, familial pressures, lack of awareness of local laws, technical errors in handling and the operation of machinery, traffic accidents, workplace incidents, burns, suffocation, drowning, and illnesses, according to the report. In the last fiscal year, out of 1,250 fatalities, 27.96 percent occurred in Malaysia, followed by 26.36 percent in Saudi Arabia, 17.98 percent in the United Arab Emirates, 17.32 percent in Qatar, 6.04 percent in Kuwait, and 4.43 percent in other nations.
It is alarming that these fatalities occurred despite the completion of medical tests before departure. The report urges the government to investigate the root causes of these deaths, implement awareness programs, and provide psychosocial counseling services among others for Nepali migrant workers.
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