Kathmandu- Eight Nepalese who arrived in the UK after paying between 26 lakhs to nearly 33 lakhs rupees for work permits find themselves in a challenging situation.
The Nepali workers, who paid substantial amounts to Ramlal Shyamlal Panchola, the Indian owner of the ‘Harrow in Thermation’ restaurant in Leicester, UK, are now homeless. Upon reaching the UK, they were unable to secure a sponsoring company, job, or salary.
Some families, including those with children, are stranded due to a lack of employment opportunities. Kabita Bhattarai paid £19,400, Ganga Dhungana £17,350, Suraj Tiwari £17,000, Anjanadevi Sharma £17,350, Hemmaya Baral £17,700, Pushpa Khanal £17,350, Dambar Thapa £17,350, and Lakshmi Bhushal £15,500. However, the Indian creditor has neither provided work nor returned the money for the past five months. The victims have sought refuge with NRNA UK, led by Prem Gaha Magar.
Chairman Gaha Magar described the condition of the victims as very dire. “Upon receiving a complaint that Indian moneylenders were harassing Nepali people who came to collect loans, we have come together to rescue them,” Gaha Magar stated.
On Thursday, Gaha Magar gave Sahu a deadline of March 6 to respond to the situation and exploitation of trafficked workers, warning that if no response is received, the case will be forwarded to the National Crime Agency, Leicestershire Police, Crime Commissioner’s Office, Crime Section, and the local Member of Parliament.
Letter sent by NRNA UK to Indian Panchola.
“After we initiated a search for moneylenders and brokers exploiting the labor and finances of Nepalese in Britain, many victims have come forward. It is our duty to help Nepalese who are in trouble,” he said in a phone conversation with Himalaya Post. Gaha Magar emphasized the need to take action against employers who deceive workers and invited victims to contact him without hesitation.
He assured that his organisation would facilitate free legal processes to address the visa problems of the victims. Fraud in the name of work permits has increased significantly in Britain. There are reports of taking lakhs of rupees without providing the promised salary and other facilities as per the contract.
Just on Wednesday, Jana Astha reported that Niran Kumar Shrestha, the proprietor of The Griffin Dia Royal Restaurant located at 174 Bedford Road, Kempston Bedford, along with 11 workers, took 27 to 32 lakh rupees (16 to 19 thousand pounds) and transported them to the UK on a work permit.
The victims of labor exploitation brought this case to light, and Gaha Magar himself has actively highlighted such cases.
