According to the Nepali embassy in Saudi Arabia, there are about 200 Nepalese in Saudi Arabian jails. About 80 percent of the Nepalese who are in jail have been arrested on alcohol charges. Alcohol consumption is illegal in Saudi Arabia.
In Saudi Arabia, drinking, distributing, and engaging in alcohol trade is punishable. Those who commit such crimes are sentenced to six months to two years in prison and fined in some cases.
Similarly, Saudi Arabia has banned the transmission of obscene materials through various media. Posts against Saudi Arabia's religion and culture have also been banned on social media. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a Nepali was jailed for nine months for using Facebook Live. Under the initiative of the Nepali embassy, he was finally released and returned to Nepal.
Nepali workers in Saudi Arabia have been facing problems when they quit their jobs to work elsewhere. People living in illegal conditions are not treated in hospitals. Since such people do not have insurance, it is very expensive to treat them. In such a case, even if there is an accident, no compensation is given.
If a person living illegally dies, the body cannot be repatriated.
According to Saudi Arabian law, a fugitive is considered a fugitive. Therefore, the Nepali embassy has advised not to leave one’s accommodation at all.
Nepali workers working in Saudi Arabia have also complained of being cheated by brokers while processing exit visas. According to the Nepali embassy, anyone wanting to return home can call a police officer or other officer at the depot center to arrange the process as soon as possible.
People who have been deported cannot fly immediately. The Saudi government's holding center repatriates people from any country. It is said that a Nepali driver ran away from his previous job and was deported for working outside for two or three years and was prevented from returning home due to the fine imposed on him.
It is stated that the Nepali embassy in Saudi Arabia is aware of the fact that Nepalese are cheating each other. It is said that the embassy is ready to take action against such Nepalis if complaints with the embassy with concrete evidence are lodged. The embassy has assured to keep such information confidential.
According to the embassy, at present, 80 to 100 people are issued exit visas a week, Between 2020 and 2021 alone, 2,800 people were repatriated with exit visas.
The Saudi government's labor ministry has also made arrangements for workers to lodge complaints directly. People who work there can complain about the fact that they have not been given leave even after a long period of work by a company, as well as not being paid the required salary in contact, and not having suitable accommodation. Complaints can be registered in Arabic, Urdu, Hindi, and English on a toll-free phone.
Similarly, this summer season, workers are urged to complain even if they are forced to work outside in the afternoon sun. The Saudi Ministry of Labor has banned workers from working in direct sun from 12 noon to 3 pm from June 15 to September 15.
Due to the Bakar Eid festival, all government offices in Saudi Arabia are closed for 15 days and will only be open from July 18.
The Nepali Embassy in Saudi Arabia is closed for 18 days a year due to various festivals and important occasions in Saudi Arabia and Nepal. On the occasion of Bakar Eid, leave was given on July 10 and 11 at the Nepali Embassy in Saudi Arabia.
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