Nepal to issue new passports banning work in Iraq

Nepal to issue new passports banning work in Iraq

www.chinaview.cn  2009-04-18 11:10:52

KATHMANDU, April 18 (Xinhua) -- In an unprecedented development, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has taken delivery of one million copies of new passports that clearly bar Nepalis from working in Iraq, local media reported on Saturday.     According to myrepublica.com, in the page stating restrictions in the passport, the statement reads: Not valid to travel to Iraq for work.     "The new passports to be issued this month onward prohibit Nepalis from seeking employment in Iraq," Suresh Pradhan, the spokesperson of MoFA said, adding, "But this will not bar Nepalis visiting Iraq on a tourist visa."     Nepal has been facing labor-related problems emanating from Iraq for quite some time and government attempts to stop Nepalis from venturing into Iraq have failed, reported on website.     In 2004, an Iraqi terrorist group called Ansar al-Sunnah had slaughtered 12 Nepali workers in Iraq.     When the killings took place, an estimated 200,000 Nepalis were working in Iraq as laborers, drivers, guards, cleaners and cooks among others in Iraq, even though Nepal had issued travel advisory for its citizens against visiting Iraq due to security concerns. source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-04/18/content_11208802.htm