Include meal in flight tickets of migrant workers: DoFE

KATHMANDU: The Department of Foreign Employment has urged the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, the Foreign Employment Entrepreneurs’ Association, and the Nepal Association of Tours to ensure that meals are included with flight tickets for Nepali youths traveling to foreign job destinations.

“Flights to Malaysia and most Gulf countries typically last around four hours. Considering that workers are required to arrive at the airport at least three hours before their flight, many go without food for a long period,” stated Dundu Raj Ghimire, Director General of DoFE. “We’ve received numerous complaints from workers regarding this issue.”

Ghimire further said that ‘budget” airlines were charging high fares without providing essential amenities such as meals and water. “We convened a meeting with all stakeholders to address this concern and urged them to include flight meals in ticket prices,” he added.

Meanwhile, the DoFE has warned recruitment companies against the practice of sending workers to foreign job destinations on individual permits.