Ramadan "saves" 67 Nepali migrant workers in Qatar

(Aug. 21, 2012) The holy month of Ramadan has "saved" the lives of 67 Nepalese workers in Qatar. Without pay for four months, the men found hospitality and food at a mosque near the Homsalal Ali Usel market, about 35 km from Doha. Charity (zakat) to the poor and needy is one of the five pillars of Islam, and in the month of fasting from dawn to dusk it is even practiced as an additional form of purification. However, now that Ramadan is over the Nepalese fear not being able to survive, and have asked their embassy in Qatar to help them return home. The workers were employed in the Bajra Qatar Company that provides construction labour. Four months ago, the company began to stop paying salaries, and workers found themselves on the street. So far however, the Embassy of Nepal in Qatar has shown little reason for hope . Rishiram Ghimire, a diplomat, admits that "67 workers came to ask for help and they were trying to solve the problem. He said their employer has promised to pay wage arrears within a month and a half." However, the workers have asked to go back home. Nepal has more than 4 million of its citizens employed abroad, 10% of whom are women, who are often the victims of sexual abuse, maltreatment and exploitation in the workplace. The majority of cases are in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait, as well as other Middle Eastern countries.