Kathmandu —Following the shutdown of Sendan International Company located in Jubail, Saudi Arabia, 469 Nepali migrant workers have been trapped in extremely difficult conditions for the past three months. According to a detailed report published just yesterday by Khoj Samachar, these workers have not received their salaries for several months, are living in dire conditions, and cannot return home due to a lack of legal documents.
तपाईंको थप समाचारहरू
After the report was made public, Member of Parliament Gyanendra Shahi raised the issue in the federal parliament today, calling on the government to immediately initiate a rescue operation. He emphasized that this is not a political issue but a humanitarian crisis.
According to the workers, the company collapsed due to internal mismanagement between its partners. As a result, it failed to pay salaries and renew the workers’ residency permits (Iqama), leaving them effectively detained within Saudi Arabia—like prisoners without fault.
The camps they are living in lack basic necessities. Food is scarce, garbage is not collected, toilets are unhygienic, and many cannot afford medical treatment. Speaking to Khoj Samachar, one stranded Nepali worker expressed their suffering and helplessness.
The most alarming concern is that in just 37 days, their two-year visas will expire, after which they will become illegal residents under Saudi law. In such a situation, no authority will be able to provide legal protection.
The voice of 469 Nepalis echoed in Parliament MP Gyanendra Shahi
In today’s session of the House of Representatives, MP Shahi called on the Government of Nepal to treat the issue with urgency and prioritize the immediate rescue of these citizens.
“These young men have powered our country with their remittance. Now that they are in crisis, ignoring them would be no less than a crime,” MP Shahi declared in Parliament.
He further criticized the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Labor, and the Nepali Embassy in Saudi Arabia for their negligence and inaction.
Khoj Samachar’s initiative and responsibility
Khoj Samachar has been rigorously investigating this issue, directly interviewing stranded workers and gathering verified documentation to produce a detailed and evidence-based report. MP Shahi himself confirmed that the issue he raised in Parliament was inspired by this report.
The government must not delay any further. Failure to act now may lead to a major humanitarian disaster. Therefore, we once again make an urgent appeal to all concerned authorities —
Begin the rescue operation without delay.
