KATHMANDU: Suresh Kushwaha, 42, from Balara Municipality-8, Sarlahi, along with 140 other Nepalis, have been jobless in Dubai for over two months.

Kushwaha was sent to Dubai on 31 July 2025 through Royal Manpower Company, promised work at National Project Service in iron fitting, for which the manpower company charged Rs 175,000.

He was promised food and accommodation with a monthly salary of Rs 42,000. Upon arrival, however, Kushwaha became jobless.

“It has been over two months; there is no work or salary,” he says. “The company occasionally sends Rs 10–20 for food; the rest we have to manage from home.”

Kushwaha had previously worked in Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and Qatar. He returned to Kathmandu in June to decide on Dubai.

A friend directed him to Mass Overseas, which referred him to Royal Manpower. “We completed the process and came to Dubai, but the hardships began here,” he says.

Currently, Kushwaha lives in Musaffah with 22 other Nepalis, housed by National Company.

Over two months and ten days, the company has provided no work. “They occasionally send AED 10–20 for food, but no salary,” he says.

His family is worried. Kushwaha’s wife and son live in Nepal, and with his parents deceased, the family has depended on foreign employment for 15–16 years.

Kushwaha is not alone. A total of 140 Nepalis in Musaffah were sent by Royal, Shreesha, and Tesla Manpower companies for carpentry, plumbing, and welding work.

Most are from Royal and Tesla; Shree Sha sent fewer. They are housed separately in Musaffah-15 and Musaffah-26. “We spoke to the manpower companies, but they keep delaying,” Kushwaha says.

After weeks of no work, they approached the Nepali embassy. Four days ago, embassy representatives met them and instructed the company to provide work and pay salaries. “The company shows no concern,” he says.

When they arrived at the airport, company representatives escorted them to their rooms but offered no further assistance or follow-up.

According to Kushwaha, “They don’t contact us, but send only AED 10–20 for meals. I have to request money from home to get by morning and evening.”

Even after more than two months without work, Kushwaha’s family is increasingly worried.

He says, “Rather than sending us back to Nepal, they say work will be available, but the manpower agency is delaying and confusing us. Meanwhile, the company hasn’t assigned us any work.”

Kushwaha requested Prime Minister Sushila Karki to either assign work for the 140 Nepalis or ensure their safe return to Nepal.

Kushwaha told Nepal News, “When we came, there was a political party government. After the movement, a new government was formed and Sushila Karki is now Prime Minister. Please bring this issue to her attention.”

Tesla Manpower director Binod Bista acknowledges labor issues at National Company.

These Nepalis paid between Rs 175,000 and 220,000 to manpower companies, often borrowing money.

Some have posted videos on social media highlighting their plight. The companies have reportedly withheld passports.

National Company, based in Abu Dhabi, works on large infrastructure projects

Royal Manpower director Jankalal Bastola is in Dubai and has met the jobless workers.

Binod Bista of Tesla Manpower confirms efforts to coordinate with the embassy and company to resolve issues.

“We will start distributing salaries and place workers in jobs within 15 days. The company deceived the workers, not us,” he says.

Shreesha Manpower director Jay Sah is in Malaysia; employee Raj Kishor Singh says 25 workers sent from their company have mostly received Emirates cards and started work.

Some are still in process, and the company has provided advance money for food and accommodation.