Hundreds of Nepali migrant workers in Saudi Arabia have been left stranded for months after their employing company shut down. Eager to either return home or transfer to new companies, these workers are now seeking help from the Nepali Embassy in Riyadh.
According to embassy officials, discussions are ongoing with the Saudi Ministry of Labor, and there is growing hope that these workers will soon be repatriated through appropriate channels.
The affected workers were employed by Sendan International Company, located in Jubail City, Saudi Arabia.
Where Does the Matter Stand?
According to Labor Counselor Kabiraj Upreti at the Nepali Embassy, the company started facing issues about nine months ago, but most workers only formally submitted complaints a month or so ago.
So far, 243 workers have expressed a desire to return to Nepal, while 226 have requested to transfer to another employer within Saudi Arabia.
The major hurdle in their repatriation is due to technical issues in the Saudi government’s online ‘exit visa’ system, which is required for foreign workers to leave the country.
“According to Saudi law, anyone on a labor visa needs an exit visa to leave the country. While the government was in the process of upgrading the online system to allow workers to apply for exit visas themselves, technical problems have currently halted the system,” Upreti said.
Additionally, the embassy is attempting to ensure that workers are sent home using funds from the now-defunct company.
“Our priority is to use the company’s remaining funds through the Saudi authorities to facilitate repatriation. These workers have served the company for years, and it was legally registered under Saudi jurisdiction,” Upreti added.
He also mentioned that Saudi officials advised resolving the matter through legal processes and insurance claims.
“They suggested filing labor complaints with full documentation. If the court rules in favor of the workers, they may claim compensation, unpaid wages, and travel costs through insurance,” he explained.
When Will the Issue Be Resolved?
Two days ago, the Nepali Embassy held talks with Saudi labor officials, following which it organized virtual meetings with the stranded workers, informing them of the procedures and requesting detailed information from each individual.
Currently, the company is still providing accommodation and food, and one worker has reportedly fallen ill, according to Upreti.
“Although it’s difficult to say exactly when the issue will be resolved, based on current developments, we hope it will be sorted out within about a month,” he said.
Why Is a ‘Protocol’ Needed for Worker Rescue?
Labor migration expert Dr. Ganesh Gurung says these types of rescue situations occur frequently and highlights the need for the Nepal Government to establish a ‘Standard Operating Protocol (SOP)’ for such emergencies.
“Instead of negotiating with individual companies during crises, it’s better to communicate directly with the host government, and our embassies should take the lead in this,” Gurung said. “So far, our approach has been more ad hoc.”
He noted that similar rescue situations have occurred in countries like Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the UAE.
He also emphasized that the Foreign Employment Board’s fund should be used in such emergencies.
According to the Auditor General’s report, the fund currently holds NPR 7.61 billion. This fund is intended for worker welfare, including emergency rescues.
Each migrant worker contributes NPR 1,500 to the fund during the labor permit process, and the government also provides matching grants.
As per the Board’s data:
- In 2081 B.S., 157 workers were rescued
- In 2080 B.S., 183 workers
- In 2079 B.S., 167 workers
- In 2078 B.S., 880 workers
- In 2077 B.S., 413 workers
Saudi Arabia: A Key Destination for Nepali Workers
Saudi Arabia continues to be a major labor destination for Nepali migrants. In the first nine months of the current fiscal year, 141,000 Nepali workers went to the UAE, the highest among destination countries, followed by around 58,000 to Saudi Arabia, according to data from the Nepal Rastra Bank and other sources.
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