In recent times, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has emerged as a transit point for human traffickers, exploiting the vulnerabilities of Nepali migrants seeking better opportunities abroad. Tej Bahadur Chhetri, the Nepali ambassador to the UAE, has raised concerns over this growing trend, highlighting the plight of Nepali migrants who find themselves stranded in the UAE after falling victim to deception and exploitation.
Nepali migrants, enticed by promises of reaching destinations like America and Europe, often end up trapped in the UAE after arriving on visit visas. One such case is Ammardatta Paneru, who paid a large sum to a broker only to find himself living illegally in Dubai for the past three months. Paneru’s story is emblematic of thousands of Nepalis who find themselves deceived and stranded in the UAE, victims of unscrupulous brokers promising passage to distant lands.
Rajendra Thapa, a businessman in the UAE, sheds light on the grim reality faced by desperate migrants who are misled into illegal routes, risking their lives and savings for a chance at a better future. Thapa explains that migrants paying hefty sums are promised passage to European countries or Nicaragua via charter planes from Dubai, while others with fewer resources are smuggled through perilous routes via Panama to Mexico, facing dangerous journeys through multiple countries.
For Nepali women, the situation is even more dire, with reports of trafficking to neighboring Gulf countries like Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain, easily accessible from the UAE. Din Bandu Subedi, labor counselor at the Nepali Embassy in the UAE, highlights the harrowing experiences of trafficked individuals, often held captive for years. He emphasizes the urgent need for stricter regulations on visit visas to curb such exploitation.
Ambassador Chhetri reveals that thousands of Nepalis arrive in the UAE on visit visas every year, with 250,000 recorded in 2022 alone, many of whom now live illegally in the country. Nepalis on visit visas face numerous challenges, including employment difficulties due to their undocumented status and limited access to healthcare and insurance.
Chhetri advocates for government intervention, proposing training programs and public awareness campaigns in Nepali villages to educate prospective migrants about the risks of foreign employment. Such initiatives aim to empower migrants with knowledge and resources to make informed decisions and protect themselves from exploitation in foreign lands.
