NAFEA warns to not send workers to Saudi Arabia

KATHMANDU, Jan 12: Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies (NAFEA) on Tuesday warned of not sending Nepali workers to Saudi Arabia, the second most preferred job destination, if GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) Approved Medical Centers´ Association (GAMCA) did not withdraw its recent decision to hike medical test fees.



GAMCA had hiked medical test fee of Nepali workers from Rs 3,200 to Rs 4,000 last week. [break]



On January 5, NAFEA had asked GAMCA to withdraw its decision within three days.



 However, since GAMCA did not respond till Tuesday, NAFEA took a decision to this effect with the consent of around 200 manpower agencies that have been sending Nepali workers to Saudi Arabia.



“We felt insulted as GAMCA did not reply to our letter. After all, GAMCA can not run if we do not send Nepal workers for medical test,” said Hansa Raj Wagle, Vice president of NAFEA.



According to Wagle, NAFEA will first press the government for intervening in the GAMCA´s fee hike decision.



And, if the government fails to pay heed to its concerns, Wagle said, NAFEA will forcibly close down GAMCA. “The closure of GAMCA means that we do not need its service and we will not send any worker to Saudi Arabia,” Wagle said.



Saudi Arabia and Oman issue visas to only those Nepali workers who produce medical test certificates issued by GAMCA. “Our decision is not only against the fee hike but also the monopoly of GAMCA,” Wagle said.

Related story

44 Nepalis stranded in Saudi Arabia