June 17, 2005

In your cover story this issue you have raised a very pertinent point (FOREIGN EMPLOYMENT: Boon And Bane “SPOTLIGHT June 10”). The incident you mentioned in the story is neither new nor an isolated case. Hundreds of Nepalese who go to foreign lands to work and make some money return empty handed thanks to the frauds or unscrupulous manpower agents. As you have mentioned, the government has not shown the required seriousness to monitor these cases. Many a times, workers face even worst situations. They can neither return to their home country nor can they get salaries and perks as per the agreement. If the government does not take this matter seriously, hundreds more Nepalese will be forced to face similar situation in future. The role of the media, too, is very important in raising awareness. They should inform the prospective foreign workers about the precautions they need to take to avoid such unpleasant events.

Nirmala Shakya

Patan

Increase Monitoring

Apropos your cover story (FOREIGN EMPLOYMENT: Boon And Bane “SPOTLIGHT June 10”) about foreign employment I would like to inform the readers about one problem prevalent in the society at present. There are hundreds of people who are informally involved in the sector of manpower business. Because of the growing rate of unemployment and plight of hundreds of people being displaced from their hometown because of the insurgency, the problem is getting worse. Cleverer people from the villages become ‘brokers’ and others who are less clever and less skilled opt to go for foreign employment. These people who act as agents of the registered manpower agencies, however, have very limited knowledge about working environment and the possible problems in foreign countries. Because of this they unintentionally become frauds. This aspect should be monitored and dealt with by the professional people involved in manpower agencies so that people do not become victims of ignorance.

Kumar Sharma

Qatar (Via Email)

Trust Papers Not Faces

The current trend in the manpower market is that prospective employees in foreign countries tend to trust the people who they know best and the people who know the market best (FOREIGN EMPLOYMENT: Boon And Bane “SPOTLIGHT June 10”). Unfortunately, majority of the people who win the trust of these prospective employees, who happen to be their close relatives or villagers, neither have much knowledge about foreign employment nor are they licensed by the government. They often resort to bypassing the registered manpower agencies in order to gain more commission for themselves and save the total cost of their ‘clients’. This trend, however, often leads both the ‘brokers’ and the employees to uncalled for problems, because of the lack of enough knowledge and experience. So, in order to avoid such problems, the prospective foreign employees should be clear that they should go to the registered manpower agencies who are more knowledgeable in the matter for support. It is the legal aspects that they should trust rather than their close acquaintances.

Meera Thapa

New Baneshwore

Foreign Employment, An Irony

It is an irony that while thousands of acres of land in the various parts of the country are remaining barren because of the lack of working hands, youths of this country are blindly running after ‘opportunities’ in foreign lands (FOREIGN EMPLOYMENT: Boon And Bane “SPOTLIGHT June 10”). It is true that, in most cases they earn better than they would in their home in a short period. But if they get some training and use the techniques of improvised farming they could reap more in their homeland itself. Moreover, the happiness and safety they have in their home cannot be guaranteed in a foreign land. Saying that, it would be irrational to stop the process of going abroad for work at once, but this is something that the concerned agencies and leaders of the society should contemplate for the better future of the country in the long run.

Shailesh Shrestha

Balaju

Action Is Better Than Words

Shailaja Acharya’s interview (“Both the king and the political leaders must exhibit maturity and reach understanding” “SPOTLIGHT June 10”) was very inspiring and what she spoke is the feelings of all Nepalese. However, what is ironic is, in words these leaders have always been insightful, but their actions are mostly contrary to their words. If they really want the betterment of the people and the country, it is high time they walk their talk.

Hemanta Nepal

Samakhusi

Health Hazards

The information about improper storage of date expired pesticides was very informative (OBSOLETE PESTICIDES: Disposal Disorder “SPOTLIGTHT June 10”). It is the duty of the government to protect the public health. So, while they are working for the safe disposal of these harmful wastes they should equally stress on making the people aware about the health hazards that these substances pose so that people can keep away from the hazardous substances. At present, the general public has very little knowledge about the harms they cause. The media should also highlight such issues and make the people aware about the hazards.

Nirmal Giri

Butwal