53 Nepali Workers Stranded in Saudi Arabia Without Work

The Kathmandu Post brings to light the dire situation of 53 Nepali migrant workers stranded in Saudi Arabia, facing months without wages or employment. These individuals, who left Nepal seeking better opportunities, are now confined to a labor camp, their hopes dashed by the financial distress of their employer, Mustafa Ali Athifah Company.

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Some of us have not been paid for three months, others for up to five months. No one has had work for two months. Months have passed, but our problems remain unresolved.

The workers' plight, detailed by Binod Mahara, includes non-payment of salaries for up to five months and a complete lack of work for the past two months. Compounding their misery, those who have received exit permits are being denied food and the means to return home, as the employer refuses to arrange tickets or clear their dues. This stark reality underscores the precariousness of migrant labor and the exploitation that can occur far from home.

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We do not even have money for food. How can we buy tickets?

The Nepali Embassy in Riyadh is actively engaged, attempting to negotiate the workers' return and secure their unpaid wages. However, progress is hampered by the employer's reluctance to repatriate all workers simultaneously. The company cites internal shareholder disputes and project delays as reasons for its financial woes. This story, as reported by the Kathmandu Post, highlights the critical need for stronger bilateral agreements and enforcement mechanisms to protect migrant workers and ensure their rights are upheld, especially when facing such severe hardship abroad.

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The employer is reportedly unwilling to repatriate all workers at once.