Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Security Gokarna Bista has expressed his concerns about the safety and rights of Nepali workers employed in Qatar.

During a meeting with Qatari Ambassador to Nepal Yousuf Bin Mohmed Al-Hail on Wednesday, Minister Bista stressed timely raise in wages for Nepali workers. He reminded the envoy that the Nepal government recently hiked the minimum wage for domestic workers.

Discussing further opportunities for Nepali workers in the Gulf nation, their facilities and rights, Minister Bista urged the ambassador to provide 24-hour insurance cover to Nepali workers. As per the government’s vision of sending only trained and skilled workers for foreign jobs, the minister shared his hope of receiving Qatari support to setting up a training centre in Nepal.

Bista called for timely revision to the labour agreement between the two countries for ensuring the rights of workers and managing their hiring process, in a way to benefit both the countries in the long run.

Ambassador Yousuf said he would inform the Qatari government about the concerns raised by Nepal.