NAC in trafficking

The people involved in human trafficking constantly explore creative techniques to exploit poor laborers by exporting them illegally to labor-deficient countries. These human traffickers get heavily compensated from the unemployed youth, who are ready to take any risk for the job abroad. The agents also get hefty commission from the labor recipients, who enjoy cheap Nepali labor force. The Nepal Airlines Corporations, Department of Immigration and security personnel have been found involved in human trafficking. The traffickers have established a strong nexus among these three institutions to ferry people to the United Arab Emirates without visa. The UAE immigration and security could also be suspected for their involvement in letting the trafficked people the back-door entry. This racket has to be immediately stopped by both the Nepali and UAE governments.

The incident in which 22 Nepalis were stranded at Dubai airport for about two weeks, and NAC received subsequent warning from the UAE Immigration Department has posed a serious question. The government should immediately form an investigation committee to unmask the NAC staff, immigration and police involved in the racket. NAC has claimed that its staff might have been deceived by the laborers as the labor visa comes in a loose paper from Arab countries. However, the reports say that most of the 22 Nepalis stranded at Dubai airport did not have any official paper whatsoever. So, the question of genuine or fake does not arise. Moreover, even if NAC failed to distinguish fake from genuine, the immigration staff should have stopped the human trade because they are trained for the purpose. And it is their responsibility to check any illegal emigrant. The security force is undoubtedly involved in the trade as it has been an opportunity for its personnel to earn money.

What is the problem if Nepalis are getting employment abroad -- be it legal or illegal? The problem is that the illegal laborers, who enter foreign countries without papers, are exploited to death. They can never recover the money they spend in finding the job abroad. Neither can they come back, even if they wish to do so. Such an illegal and illegitimate human trade tarnishes the country's image. Not only the UAE, soon all other countries where Nepali laborers aspire to go will debar NAC from flying. This act has also incurred huge losses to NAC because it has to bring back all the stranded people who fail to enter the country for free. The most dangerous aspect is that the illegal migrants are smuggled into war torn Iraq and Afghanistan. They may lose their lives as unidentified persons. So, the government should stop human trade and punish those involved in it - be they NAC staff, immigration officials or security personnel.

Source: The Kathmandu Post, May 22, 2007

Maoist commander warns of protests

KATHMANDU, May 20: Deputy Commander of the CPN-Maoist's army Barsaman Pun (Ananta) Sunday warned of agitation from tomorrow if the eight political parties and the government did not solve the problems of cantonments and fix a date for the constituent assembly election.

"We will be forced to go for agitation, as the government did not work according to the agreement for managing the Maoist cantonments," Ananta said at the Reporters Club Nepal. The movement will be peaceful with the aim of establishing republic in the country, he informed. Nabindra Raj Joshi of NC (Democratic) said that the activities of the YCL had created obstacles for holding CA elections. "Nobody has right to hold law in their hands."

Chandra Bhandary of Nepali Congress (NC) said that all youths irrespective of their ideology should join hands for holding CA polls. Political analyst Dr. Surendra KC said that that several other organisations like the YCL might emerge if activities of the YCL were not controlled in time. "The activities of the YCL will bring shame and ill-repute to the Maoists themselves," he added.

General Secretary of Democratic Youth Association Indra Lal Sapkota said the youths were ready to extend support to stop all kinds of corruption, but all their activities comply with the law.

The state mechanism should be activated to stop all kind of crimes and activities like those of the YCL, he added. Vice president of Nepal Tarun Dal Mahendra Yadhav said that the all activities of the YCL should immediately be stopped as they were acting against the existing laws and their activities were detrimental in maintaining law and order.

However, president of the YCL Ganeshman Pun (Rasmi) tried to defend that their activities were directed towards controlling corruption and crimes that prevail in the state of transition.

Valley in-charge of the YCL Sagar said that the YCL' s activities would be continued as they were directed towards corrupt ones and smugglers.

Source: The Rising Nepal, May 20, 2007

Nepal-China Trade

IN ancient times there was significant volume of trade between Nepal and China, particularly Tibet the autonomous region of China. Now, however this trade is not up to an appreciable extent, and there is much more scope for boosting the trade between the two countries for their mutual benefit. In this connection a discussion was held between a Chinese delegation that is currently visiting Nepal with the representatives of Nepal Trans Himalayan Border Trade Association.

The purpose of the parleys is to manage the trade between the two countries as well as to clear up the problems that might arise while carrying out such trade, apart from creating a congenial environment that would be ideal for the enhancement of trade between the two countries. The Chinese government for its part has made it known that the government level discussions desires to further expanding and improving trade between the two neighbouring countries.

However, the governments alone are not able to further boosting the trade, and, as such, the private sector should also be actively involved so that a vibrant trade thrives that would bring in rich dividends for the people of both the countries and contribute substantially to raise the income of their peoples. For this it is found that a mechanism including the representatives of local bodies and trade representatives of the two countries should be made in an attempt to seek resolutions to problems that the traders face in Khasa. Incidentally, Khasa is a commercial hub for Nepal-China trade. Furthermore, the full potential of trade between Nepal and China could be realized if the Chinese investors were to invest in the banking and tourism sector.

China has now emerged as an economic superpower. Nepal stands to benefit were it to attract the investors from China for also such sectors as hydroelectricity that holds immense potential and with which Nepal is endowed aplenty. For the time being, trade between the two countries would be further facilitated if the visa processing for Nepalese businessmen were to be eased. Other measures that could be undertaken are to initiate trade by developing infrastructures for transits adjacent to Nepal and China. Nepal also would appreciate it were the customs duty for Nepalese agricultural products, handicrafts and food grains in the Chinese market were done away with. These are some of the measures that would revive and also contribute to the further enhancing the trade between the two friendly countries.

Source: The Rising Nepal, May 20, 2007

Support Assured

Chief of the missions of the European Union conferred with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala Friday and conveyed their support and unqualified co-operation to the on-going peace building and democratisation process in the country. The envoys of the European Union urged the prime minister to announce the date for the constituent assembly polls and ensure that the important democratic exercise was not marred by any untoward events.

Prime Minister Koirala responded to the chiefs of the mission of the European Union in a very positive light and assured that the date for the polls would be made pubic in concurrence with the Election Commission in a week. The interest shown and support extended by the international community to the cause of democracy and peace in Nepal is constructive as this has been instrumental, among others, to achieving positive outcomes and developments. The international community should also be praised for the co-operation and assistance given to Nepal in addressing the issues arising out of the conflict. Reference must be made to the people�s movement accomplished last year in which the Nepalese people were able to topple authoritarianism.

The support and co-operation of the international community to the cause of democracy and peace and the voice raised against human rights violations contributed significantly in weakening the basis of both authoritarian and totalitarian polities in the country. What has constituted a matter of key significance is the establishment of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human rights in Nepal that has been put at the frontline to monitor abuses of civil and political rights.

Moreover, the countries of the European Union have extended every possible assistance for different development and democratisation projects. Their request for the start of the second phase of the arms verification process is relevant and important. As the eight-party government has been working to arrive at a settlement of outstanding issues, the interest of the international community to extend co-operation to accelerate the momentum of the peace-building process is highly significant and meaningful.

Source: The Rising Nepal, May 20, 2007

Nepal And Globalisation

Madhavji Shrestha

The globalisation process in its dodging way is rising on a larger scale each passing year. It is happening so because human needs worldwide remain at the core of its development. Meanwhile, it is also coupled with human inquisitiveness and mobility that have invariably added both speed and momentum in propelling it forward. The process will continue to move onward until some catastrophe of a greater politico-economic dimension puts the brakes over it.

Labour export

Undeniably, the trend has bestowed unprecedented benefits to some of the developing countries, especially huge countries like India and China in recent years. But countries like Nepal are hardly touched by the growing waves of globalisation across various continents. It is true that the ongoing globalisation process too has benefited Nepal in one particular area, i.e., labour export, be it unskilled or semi-skilled.

A recent report of Nepal Rastra Bank tells us that in 2005/6, remittances by Nepali workers in various parts of the world, especially in the Middle East and South East Asia contributed 16.8 per cent to Nepal�s GDP. This figure is the amount received through official channels only. If remittances received through unofficial channels are taken into account, the total contribution will rise to around 25 per cent of GDP. This indicates how Nepal is highly dependent on remittances.

This case of the Nepali people testifies how human needs force people to go abroad to take advantage of the opportunities from globalisation. However, its future is uncertain and cannot be relied on for long.

Seen in the current Nepali context, the globalisation process has yet to touch the Nepali society economically, although some effects can be seen on the cultural life and information technology, which again are concentrated mostly in the urban areas. This again is highly confined to the class of the young and educated people of the cities.

The process has yet to fly beyond the urban areas. This is so because of the political impasse coupled with the less developed socio-economic life now prevailing in the country. Most Nepali people are largely deprived of modern educational opportunities and are indeed suffering from a lack of material and physical facilities.

The truth is that the Nepali society is somehow under minimal effect of the globalisation process that has been thrown upon by universal organisations like the UN and its various agencies and world bodies like the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organisation.

Official globalisation, developing in the aftermath of World War II, and the subsequent global developments in the latter decades of the 20th century are accepted by the world community as being compulsive and supposed to do well for their security, development and social well-being. Alongside this evolutionary trend of the officially embraced globalisation process, other aspects of globalisation in the non-governmental fields of businesses and industrial and service areas have made great leaps forward.

Surprisingly, this development of globalisation have not been able to deliver better things to all countries and regions of the world equitably for sheer lack of physical facilities and absence of stability to impact the economic domain of a country. Until now, there is no global governance on this important matter, nor have the concept and practice of globalism come to the rescue.

The experience of countries which have so far taken great advantages from globalisation shows that for any acceptable and benefit-accruing process to take root in a country, certain positive conditions must be present within its territory and society. Of all the essential things we need, there must be acceptable governance with transparent laws and regulations. Primarily, legal provisions, especially related to property acquisition, management and taxation, need to be put in place. Meanwhile, the judiciary as a guardian and ultimate protector of life and property must be strengthened and respected by society.

Still far more important is the presence of infrastructure - transportation and communication that can make the movements of the people, goods and services easy. A disciplined workforce is also highly warranted for better performance. If these minimal conditions do exist, a positive invasion of globalisation is expected.

Nepal�s integration with the world through economic and trade linkages are still a far cry. The requisite conditions do not exist here because of the political instability and the conspicuous absence of a reliable political leadership. Political wrangling and social unrest have been raising their ugly heads unabatedly. However, in due course of time, if an environment friendly to foreign investment and outsourcing from abroad can be created, globalisation would have a positive impact on the country�s economic condition.

All the political parties with a large following and appreciable influence over the common populace need to make their political stance unambiguous and unequivocal as regards the property and property rights of not only Nepali citizens but also of foreigners. Without fail this must be done with good intention.

Trade and labour unions along with other social organisations have to move on as required for social and labour tranquillity. Work discipline needs to be maintained for their own well-being and harmonious relations between the employers and the employees. Discipline and normal work hold great significance.

Attainment of required skills and abilities by the workers is considered essential for enhancing and improving productivity in the industrial and service sectors. Unquestionably, technical and vocational schools and institutes play useful roles in producing quality manpower in enhancing the economy.

Industrial houses

At a time when liberalisation and privatisation are gaining ground, the industrial houses and business tycoons have a towering role to play in creating a congenial atmosphere for greater economic and trade connectivity. This is the foremost activity that the Nepali business magnets need to carry forward.

Unfortunately, however, they seem less inclined to do so. Initiatives must come from them. Looking up to the highly hobbled government, which is deeply sunk into a political imbroglio, will not liberate Nepal from the economic stagnation and trade deficit now facing the country. Their mindset must undergo a change for better days to come.

Source: The Rising Nepal, May 21, 2007