Himal Press 
Embassy of Nepal in Abu Dhabi (File Photo)
KATHMANDU: Several Nepali women working in the UAE have found themselves in legal trouble due to altercations under the influence of alcohol, according to the Embassy of Nepal in Abu Dhabi.
In one recent case, a woman from Dhading, who had gone to the UAE for employment through a manpower agency seven months ago, was arrested after a dispute with an Indian national. The altercation occurred at a hotel near Abu Dhabi, where she was allegedly under the influence of alcohol. She is currently detained in Abu Dhabi jail.
Similarly, a woman from Taplejung was jailed three months ago after a confrontation with a Bangladeshi national. She came to the UAE two years ago to work in a beauty parlor. Another woman from Kanchanpur, who had been employed in the UAE for a year, was arrested in January after a physical altercation with a fellow Nepali woman at their workplace. The woman from Kanchanpur injured the other woman by hitting a bottle during New Year celebrations.
Tej Bahadur Chhetri, the Nepali Ambassador to the UAE, said over 20 Nepalis are jailed annually in the UAE for engaging in fights, often under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Currently, more than 300 Nepalis are serving sentences in various UAE jails. Six of them are facing life imprisonment.
About a month ago, the UAE police arrested three Nepali women following a gang fight involving Nepali workers.
As many as 50 Nepalis were arrested last year following altercations under the influence of alcohol.
According to Ambassador Chhetri, the embassy has repeatedly warned Nepalis to refrain from such behavior and to respect UAE laws and cultural norms. He added that those found violating local regulations, including residential and traffic laws, risk deportation.
The embassy has also advised Nepali workers always to carry their Emirates ID, follow traffic rules, and approach embassy officials if they encounter any issues.
