abusesaffiliationarrow-downarrow-leftarrow-rightarrow-upattack-typeburgerchevron-downchevron-leftchevron-rightchevron-upClock iconclosedeletedevelopment-povertydiscriminationdollardownloademailenvironmentexternal-linkfacebookfiltergenderglobegroupshealthC4067174-3DD9-4B9E-AD64-284FDAAE6338@1xinformation-outlineinformationinstagraminvestment-trade-globalisationissueslabourlanguagesShapeCombined Shapeline, chart, up, arrow, graphLinkedInlocationmap-pinminusnewsorganisationotheroverviewpluspreviewArtboard 185profilerefreshIconnewssearchsecurityPathStock downStock steadyStock uptagticktooltiptwitteruniversalityweb
Story

3 Jan 2018

Nepal: Amnesty International survey documents exploitation of migrant workers by recruitment agents charging excessive, illegal fees

In December 2017, Amnesty International conducted a survey of 414 Nepali migrant workers. The results revealed that 88% reported that they paid fees to recruitment agents for their jobs overseas. Most workers also had to take out high-interest loans to pay off the fees, trapping them in “a vicious cycle of debt and exploitation.” The survey also found that 53% of workers received lower monthly salaries than what was promised to them by recruitment agents in Nepal, thereby adding to the burden of accumulating debt.

Based on the findings, Amnesty called on the Nepali government to do more to protect migrant workers by enforcing its "Free Visa, Free Ticket" policy and penalizing recruitment agents that do not comply with the law. It also calls on businesses to take steps to prevent exploitative labour recruitment and ensure that migrants in their supply and contracting chains who have paid recruitment fees are reimbursed.

Amnesty's press release and full report are available below.