KATHMANDU: The government has formed a mechanism to gather data on Nepalis working in informal sectors in Afghanistan after it realized it did not have any related statistics.
Chief Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi chaired a meeting Sunday morning to form a mechanism, and tasked Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) Harish Chandra Ghimire to lead the work of collecting data of Nepalis working in informal sectors in Afghanistan. The mechanism comprises representatives from the COVID-19 Crisis Management Center (CCMC) as well as other ministries, including Home and Tourism.
MoFA Secretary Bharat Poudel told a meeting of the International Relations Committee (IRC) of the House of Representatives (HoR) convened Sunday that the government lacked data of Nepalis engaged in informal sectors in Afghanistan.
He added organizations concerned were requested to manage a safe passage to about 1,500 Nepalis working in the formal sector along with others in Afghanistan.
Secretary Poudel said the government was preparing to issue a notice urging Nepalis working in informal sectors in Afghanistan to come into contact with the local mission there. He added talks were being held with the diplomatic missions based in Nepal for the rescue of Nepalis working in the formal sector.
Meanwhile, IRC directed the government to rescue Nepalis in Afghanistan by air or other means necessary.
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