The embassy’s second secretary, Pratik Karki, said the 46 were among 284 Nepali workers who died last year, 49 out of 298 in 2019 and 45 of 347 who died in 2018.
“We get an average of about 20 deaths a month involving Nepalis so this is another worry too.”
They were not sure if the Covid-19 pandemic’s restriction of movement and delays in returning home were contributing factors but one such case was exposed last December.
He said the worker’s permit had expired some eight months ago but he was forced to continue working although he had wanted to return home during the pandemic.
“We asked the employer and he told us that it took a much longer time to obtain an exit visa from the Immigration Department during the pandemic. Apparently, he was told that there was a lack of staff as many were working from home,” Pratik told FMT.
Pratik said he found it hard to understand why exit visas were delayed as the government had frozen the intake of all foreign workers while they were not renewing existing work permits.
He also cast doubt on whether all those who reportedly committed suicide had actually hanged themselves as stated in their death certificates.
“However, since it was an official document, the embassy had to accept it.”
He felt that some of them could have resorted to suicide because of the frustration of not getting what they were promised before coming here to work.
“Nepalis are basically assertive people and their culture is to speak up for their rights and demand what is due to them. This could have gotten them into trouble with their bosses or colleagues and caused frustration and depression,” he said.
Pratik said that the workers should be given an honest briefing including a psychological guide on the pressures of working here before leaving Kathmandu.
He suggested that it should be done separate from the three-day pre-departure briefing that is currently in place.
“However, I believe the onus is also on the employers and agents here to take some responsibility in making sure they (the workers) are mentally and emotionally strong to last the pace,” he said.
On a related matter, he said there were still about 22 bodies yet to be repatriated but the Nepal Airlines had promised to help by taking back a few more bodies on each of their Kuala Lumpur-Kathmandu flights, which operates three times a week.