As the coronavirus pandemic has started inflicting serious threat on the Nepalis living in various foreign countries, the Nepal Supreme Court has come forward to assist them.
The Supreme Court has ordered the Nepali Government to rescue vulnerable Nepali nationals living in countries highly affected by the coronavirus.
The Supreme Court’s order comes on the heels of the Nepali Government’s decision to impede the enter of any Nepali migrant worker in a bid to contain the possible spread of coronavirus to the country.
Earlier, the Nepali Government has urged the Nepali migrant workers to stay in their respective countries until further notice and ordered the concerned Nepali Embassies to provide necessary assistance to the needy.
In response, Advocate Som Prasad Luitel filed a petition urging the Supreme Court to protect and honour the rights of the larger number of Nepalis living in pitiable conditions in various countries.
Responding to the petition, a single bench of Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla has ordered the government to initiate necessary measures to repatriate Nepalis having hard time in foreign countries.
“No matter where Nepalis are, it is the duty of a legitimate government to address their health, security and other needs,” stated Supreme Court.
“The State cannot ignore a situation where the Nepali migrant workers, who have a significant contribution to the country’s economy, lie in a very poor, unsafe and unhealthy situation after losing their job,” said Supreme Court. “Immediate and effective additional measures are warranted in the case of the citizens in foreign employment in the present situation of a worldwide pandemic.”
According to the Non-Resident Nepalis’ Association (NRNA), around 77% of the Nepalis living in various foreign countries are desperate to return Nepal.
Most of the Nepalis in the middle east countries have already lost their jobs and are on the verge of financial crisis.
The apex court has ordered the government to use the ‘Migrant Labour Workers Welfare Fund’ to repatriate the vulnerable Nepalis from foreign countries and provide them relief.
So far, coronavirus has spread to 210 countries and territories and has infected 2,183,964 people while claiming 146,881 lives.
However, there are only 16 coronavirus positive cases in Nepal.
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