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KATHMANDU: It has been revealed that traffickers have been sending Nepali youths to work in war-torn Israel.
Officials of the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security say that they have received information about traffickers sending Nepalis to Israel through countries like India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
The government has temporarily suspended issuing labor permits for employment in Israel after the Israel-Hamas conflict escalated. However, officials mentioned that a man called the ministry’s hotline on Wednesday, inquiring whether there would be any problem going to work in Israel via Sri Lanka. The hotline staff advised the man that Nepal has stopped issuing work permits for Israel and has temporarily stopped Nepalis from working in Israel. The man informed the hotline staffers that 10 other Nepalis were also heading to Israel via Sri Lanka.
Ministry officials say that sending workers to Israel without involving human traffickers would be impossible. Madan Dahal, director general of the Department of Foreign Employment, told Himal Press that the department has received information about a racket involved in sending Nepali youths to Israel. “The racket is attracting youth by sharing employment opportunities in Israel on different social media platforms. We are studying the matter seriously,” he said. “We have informed the police who are also investigating the case. We are taking all possible measures to prevent Nepali migrant workers from going to Israel.”
The government has temporarily suspended issuing labor permits for employment in Israel after the Israel-Hamas conflict escalated.
The Israeli government has permitted its private sector to recruit foreign workers within 90 days after migrant workers left the country due to the conflict with Hamas. The private sector in Israel is sourcing workers from India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. “Human traffickers may be choosing routes through India and Sri Lanka to send Nepali workers,” Dahal added.
On Wednesday, the police busted a racket involved in sending Nepali workers to Russia to work for the Russian Army. The racket was sending Nepalis to Russia via India and UAE, according to the police.
More than 1,000 people, including 10 Nepalis, have died since the Israel-Hamas conflict escalated in October. One Npeali, Bipin Joshi, is still in Hamas custody. The government has sought the help of the international community to secure his release.
According to the ministry, more than 7,000 Nepalis are working in Israel.
