(English) Dozens Nepali migrant workers left in lurch in Libya

KATHMANDU, Nepal–As many as 126 Nepali migrant workers have been left with lurch in the war-torn Libya soon after their company shut down two weeks ago.

They were left in a unaided situation after their company where they worked was closed indefinitely following ongoing violence.

The government has banned Nepali migrant workers to go to Libya, a northern American country. Those Nepali workers who reached Libya used Delhi paying up to Rs 500,000 each.

It is reported that 75 of the 126 Nepalis working for the company have gone out of contact, while the others are staying in their quarters in Sirte, 600 kilometres far from Libya’s capital city Tripoli.

“We have asked the Indian embassy in Tripoli to help rescue us. However, the Nepal government is yet to initiate the diplomatic move” Gopal Dhamala, one of the victims was quoted by today’s Kantipur daily adding that they were frightened for their lives.

According to Dhamala, the remaining 51 Nepali workers at Sirte were planning to flee to neighboring Tunisia on Wednesday, to escape any untoward accident in Libya.

The reports further added that eight Nepali migrant workers are trapped in the middle of the war. They are reportedly taking shelter in a quarter and their passports were seized by the armed outfits. The situation is further worsening since they lack single penny to purchase ticket to return back to Nepal.

More than four dozens migrant workers in there also want to return home in the wake of civil war, it is learnt.

In the meantime, multiple sources at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said that the Ministry is engaged in parleys through diplomatic channel to rescue those stranded Nepali workers.