MoFA instructs missions to update on citizens abroad

Kathmandu, Mar 25

Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali has directed the Nepali embassies and missions abroad to regularly report the COVID-19 infections in their respective countries and take initiative for the health and safety of the Nepali citizens.

Speaking at a video conference with the chief of Nepali missions in Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, Israel and South Africa on Wednesday from Singha Durbar, he directed them to stay connected with the employers and government in their respective countries and take initiatives for the salary and social security of Nepali citizens. He said that it was the duty of the missions to care for the health, safety and employment of Nepali workers there.

Minister Gyawali also directed the missions to inform the Nepalis about the safety directives issued by the local governments in their respective countries and urged Nepali citizens and mission staff members to stay alert and adopt all possible safety measures against the possible infection of the coronavirus.

Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Security Rameshwor Raya Yadav, who was also present during the conference, asked the Nepali missions abroad to coordinate with the employers and local governments in order to combat the problems and challenges that would unfold in the near future.

"All the Nepalis in foreign land have high stake in the Nepali missions at this sensitive and difficult time, therefore, you must play your roles effectively," he said.

The ministers have informed the missions about the steps made by the government in order to prevent and control the coronavirus infection in Nepal.

They have discussed about the status of coronavirus outbreak in those countries, condition of Nepalis, possible impact of COVID-19 on the economy and employment.

Mission chiefs have informed the ministers about the steps they had taken for the safety of Nepali citizens, their status and regular and emergency services by the embassies to Nepali citizens.

Earlier on Tuesday, the ministers-duo had talked with the chief of missions of Gulf and African countries to know about the situation of Nepalis there and directed the missions to stay in regular contact with Nepali citizens.

The High-Level Committee on the Prevention and Control of Coronavirus had asked Nepali citizens to make arrangements of stay in the countries of their work.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 26 March 2020.