Youth Protest in Kathmandu Over Israel Employment Assurance Discrepancies

Kathmandu. Eligible candidates who have been waiting for Israel employment opportunities for the past two years have taken to the streets in protest, accusing the government of acting contrary to its past assurances. On Tuesday, youth staged a demonstration against the government at Maitighar in Kathmandu, stating that they have been pushed into extreme confusion due to the delays and policy ambiguities of the Department of Foreign Employment.

High-ranking officials of the Department of Foreign Employment had continuously assured that candidates who were not selected in the 2081 B.S. lottery (lucky draw) but had completed all procedures would be automatically included in the newly opening quotas. However, after recent news reports surfaced stating that 2,300 new quotas were opening for Israel and that old candidates would also have to participate in the 'lucky draw' process from the very beginning, the aggrieved youth were driven to protest.

The demonstrators expressed grievance that a great injustice has been done to them by forcing them to rely on luck from the initial stage once again, even after enduring a long period of patience, mental stress, and significant financial investment. To have their demands met, the protesting youth had previously gone on delegations and submitted memorandums multiple times to the Department of Foreign Employment, the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

However, they were forced to move from the ministry doors to the streets, claiming that the relevant agencies showed an irresponsible working style instead of taking a concrete decision. They have demanded that instead of making the eligible candidates, who have completed the process and been held up for two years, compete again in the new quota, a separate quota should be secured exclusively for them.

The victimized youth have also warned that they will further intensify the agitation unless the old candidates are automatically included in the new process without any hassle as per the past assurances given by the department, and unless the Government of Nepal and the Ministry of Labour take this matter seriously to provide an immediate, appropriate, and just solution for the old candidates.