Nepal raises worker grievances with Labor Ministry

(MENAFN- Arab News) RIYADH: Nepal has asked the Saudi government for help on a range of worker grievances including getting sponsors to release them because their families at home need help in the aftermath of the recent earthquakes.
Nepalese Ambassador Udaya Raj Pandey met with the new Deputy Minister of Labor Ahmad Al-Humaidan on Wednesday to discuss these and other issues faced by workers in the Kingdom. He also took the opportunity to congratulate Al-Humaidan on his appointment.
'The situation in Nepal after the devastating earthquakes in April and May was discussed and my delegation expressed thanks for the Saudi assistance' the Nepalese envoy told Arab News.
The Kingdom sent 190 tons of aid including food medical supplies and tents. It also promised to send an additional 1200 tents to meet the demands of displaced people.
Highlighting the problems faced by Nepalese workers in Saudi Arabia Pandey asked the ministry for assistance to have sponsors release their workers on humanitarian grounds. This would allow them to help their families at home he said.
'Scores of workers whose families were affected by the earthquake have approached the embassy for help because their employers have not released them' Pandey said. Al-Humaidan said the labor ministry would help through the Council of Saudi Chambers.
Pandey also sought the ministry's help to ensure that sponsors are penalized if they do not complete procedures to have the bodies of deceased workers sent home. In addition he told Al-Humaidan that some sponsors were violating labor laws by changing clauses of employment contracts not paying or delaying salary payments and paying less than the sum agreed.