(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Foreign Employment Department of the Nepal Government has restarted issuing labour permits to Qatar on Wednesday, June 7. After Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations severed diplomatic ties with the country, the Department had stopped providing such permits on Tuesday. Nepalese officials and nationals were seen worried after some media reports surfaced about crowds at superstores. But it turned out to be an exaggeration.
All foreign employment officials, friends and relatives of Qatar-based migrant workers and youths who were queuing to come here felt anxious. They felt if the crisis deteriorated it would affect the future of more than 400,000 Nepalese men and women working here and of many more who aspire to come.
But life is normal in Qatar and there is no shortage of food supplies or anything else.
Qatar is the second most preferred destination after Malaysia for Nepalese youths. The department provides permission for 108 countries.
According to a record made public by the department in January 2017, the largest number of labourers leaving Nepal vied for Qatar in the year of 2016.
Economists claim that Qatar-bound Nepalese contribute 7 to 10pc of total remittances sent to the county. During ten months of the last fiscal year, remittances worth over $4 billion were injected into the country's economy. The year before, the figure was over $6 billion. The remittances send by migrant workers is the economic backbone of the Himalayan nation.
Qatar is one of the big contributors to Nepalese economy. As the Southeast Asian nation faces low rates of economic growth and employment, large numbers of Nepalese youth vie for foreign countries to help their families survive in the face of inflation.
The society, urban and countryside, is rapidly changing as many of its members are working abroad and providing support to raise the living standard of their families back home. Qatar's relations with Nepal go back four decades and hosts a large chunk of Nepalese workers.
Community caught up with some Nepalese community leaders who are working and living in Qatar for over a decade about how Qatar has helped to sustain Nepal's economy and about the current Gulf crisis.
Excerpts:
Dr Dev Kaji Dangol
Qatar is a great nation that provides jobs to thousands of Nepalese and other nationals. Remittance sent by migrant labourers play a big role in the country's economy. I don't see any basis to accuse peace-loving Qataris of supporting terrorists. This is the time of Ramadan when people fast and pray for world peace. Nepalese are the supporter and contributor of FIFA 2022 World Cup. I urge the Nepalese community to support this great nation. I am and will be with Qatar.
T B Karki
Qatar treats all of its residents equally. Nepalese community feels proud of this country. Qatar has been successful in raising its GDP in a short time and has helped thousands of Nepalese to raise their living standards. The current crisis, I hope, will be solved in short time through diplomatic talks. Residents of Qatar should remain patient.
Til Bikram Thebe
We wish governments will take initiatives to resolve this issue and everything will be fine and normal again. Qatar has a stable and strong economy, so, I don't think there will be any kind of crisis in the near future. I have been working in Qatar for over a decade. I feel Qatar is fully prepared to provide necessary supplies to its residents. I request all not to worry, and work normally and follow rules and regulations of the country as usual. Nepal has strong bilateral relations with Qatar. Recently, an ambassador was appointed at Nepalese Embassy in Doha. I am proud that Qatar hosted me, provided me with job and supports my family as it has done for thousands of others.
Kamal Mani Guragain
I was apprehensive when I first heard about the crisis. A similar crisis in 2015 created big shortage of basic needs in Nepal. The media, too, then broadcast images of crowds in the superstores. But when I visited the malls, I saw no such crowd and no shortage of basic supplies. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already said that this crisis won't affect the imports. Qatar is a rich country with enough resources, so they can manage everything smoothly. We continue to be inspired by Qatari leadership for its strength, patience and resolve. I ask Nepalese to convey the message that everything is normal to all their friends and relatives in Nepal so that they won't be anxious.
Bimal Subedi
We hope this crisis will be solved in a very short time. This crisis and embargo is also detrimental to the Gulf region from the standpoint of trade and economy. The residents of Qatar need not worry as this issue will soon be solved.
Khagraj Khatri (Yasheem Mama)
I was in Kuwait in 1996, and thereafter in 2000, I started a world cycle tour. I came to Qatar for the first time in 2007. My impression was that Qatar was one of the best countries in Asia and I decided to live here. This country is peaceful. Qatar successfully hosted Asian Games in 2006 and it has focused on tourism. This country has the highest GDP. The environment is friendly here as nationals of different countries work and live together. Furthermore, our community is free to promote their arts, music and culture here. I was fascinated by the philosophy of Islam and the hospitality of Muslim brothers and sisters, so I converted to Islam. People who work and live here feel secure more than in any other country. It is regretful that some foreign media is falsely propagating a crisis like situation in Qatar which is completely contrary to reality.
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