As concerns have been raised about three Nepalese workers currently being accommodated in a safe house, it has been highlighted that the current legislation is primarily focused on offences committed by foreign workers rather than employers.
Manager Border Security and Enforcement Jese Cirikisuva highlighted this to Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, when Committee member Virendra Lal questioned him about cases involving abuse and workers being sent home for breaching permit conditions.
Cirikisuva says the three workers have been identified as victims of human trafficking.
Cirikisuva also highlighted that current immigration laws lack adequate enforcement mechanisms, penalties and infringement notices for foreign workers who fail to comply with the terms and conditions of their permits.
He says the Ministry has identified this gap, but recent legislative changes have strengthened provisions to address breaches of permit conditions.
During the committee hearing, Lal also questioned how the Ministry coordinates with the Ministry of Employment to prevent the abuse of work permits.
In response, Cirikisuva says the Ministry works closely with its Permits and Visa team to identify companies whose workers do not comply with permit conditions.
He further says that the Immigration Department and the Ministry of Employment also conduct joint operations and awareness sessions to improve compliance and prevent abuse.
Cirikisuva adds that there have been multiple cases involving foreign workers, including instances where workers themselves have been abused by employers.
He has also clarified that 75 prohibited immigrants were removed from the country last year.
