Nepal and the Kingdom of Bahrain have been enjoying cordial ties ever since the two countries established official diplomatic relations in 1977. Over the years, Bahrain has become an important destination for Nepali migrant workers. Pratik Ghimire of ApEx caught up with Tirtha Raj Wagle, Nepali ambassador to Bahrain in his office, to talk about the condition of Nepali workers and various aspects of Nepal-Bahrain bilateral relationship.

What is the Nepal Embassy doing for Nepalis living in Bahrain? 

Bahrain has about 21,000 Nepalis. Most of them are working low and semi-skilled jobs. For their supervision, we keep a close connection with them and discuss their issues. Whenever there are issues, such as unpaid wages or medical help or over time payment, we talk with the concerned employers. These issues are usually solved at our request.

We do follow-ups to make sure the workers’ problems are being addressed. If that doesn’t work, we take up the issue with the Labor Ministry and Labor Market Regulatory Authority. We also coordinate with manpower companies and the Nepal government if the Nepali workers are sent here without proper agreements.

What is the current condition of Nepalis working in Bahrain? 

I have found that Nepalis in Bahrain are happy with their living and working conditions here. The Bahrain government and the people also love Nepalis for their hard work, dedication and honesty. The market for jobs, yet isn’t huge in Bahrain. The population here is roughly about 1.5m, where half of them are foreigners and around 21,000 are Nepalis. The Bahrain government has a policy where skilled laborers are given priority. So, greater job opportunities are available for people with skill sets, education and language. Currently, Nepal is only supplying low skilled laborers.

For Nepalis working low-skilled jobs, how is the embassy making sure they are not deprived of their basic rights? 

The embassy contacts the respected companies and conducts inspection visits of their workplace. We also visit the living quarters of Nepali workers to make sure they are living well. If we notice any issue, we send a complaint to the authorized company and the problem will be sorted out. But we do not always get permission from companies to inspect the living quarters and workplaces, which is a problem we are trying to solve with the cooperation of the Bahrain government authorities.

For the management of the labor market, there was a labor agreement between Nepal and Bahrain. How is that helping Nepali workers?

We had a labor agreement in 2008. Nepal and Bahrain have also agreed to conduct routine technical level conferences of their labor ministries. So far, our focus has been on insurance and workers’ safety, as well as providing necessary training to the workers. The areas of priority are conducting orientation programs and training for the new workers. The two countries have not yet agreed on a minimum salary range for Nepali workers.

But we are lobbying with the Bahraini government on this. I can’t say what will be the progress as there have not been any meetings recently regarding the minimum salary range.  But from our side, we have recommended bacis salary for the workers. For instance, 100 BD for unskilled, 120 BD for semiskilled, 150 BD for skilled and 550 BD for professionals. We have also recommended certain allowances for all type of workers.

Has there been any agreement on managing the investments made by Nepalis?

Few Nepalis have been conducting small businesses in Bahrain. In order to improve their business structures, they want an exchange of business delegations or some kind of agreement. The Nepali Embassy and the government are in support of business delegation exchanges, as well as investment agreements and double taxation avoidance agreements. But as of now, Nepal and Bahrain have not reached any such agreements. But we are planning to hold a bilateral conference to discuss various areas of labor, tourism, trade, education and hospitality.

As of now, due to the lack of business agreement between both countries, any Nepali who wants to invest, has to ensure that they can only keep a financial share of 49 percent. 51 percent share should be of a local Bahraini citizen.  We are in regular communication with both governments to conduct a diplomatic consultation of foreign ministry-level meetings or at least foreign secretary-level meetings. 

There are reports about establishing ‘Bahrain Peak’ in Nepal. How is the plan coming along? 

The Royal Guard Team, which is under the Bahrain Defense Force, has successfully climbed many mountains of Nepal including the Sagarmatha, Manaslu, Lobuche and Ama Dablam. So Bahrainis have a close affinity with Nepal, particularly our mountains. This has helped in the marketing of Nepali mountains and hills in Bahrain.

A local government of Gorkha and the local people have agreed to name one of the hills in Gorkha as ‘Bahrain Peak’. I personally am unaware about the latest development on this matter, but I am sure it is being taken positively by all the concerned parties.

Dr Sanduk Ruit has just won the Isa Award for Service to Humanity. What message has it given to the Nepalis in Bahrain? 

Every Nepali in Bahrain is proud of Dr Ruit for winning the prestigious award and representing Nepal. They expect to see Dr Ruit visiting Bahrain for a health exchange program and further the ties between the two countries. This has also opened Nepal for health tourism. 

Nepal has brought different schemes for foreign investment. Which of the sectors do you think Bahrain should invest in?

Currently, the tourism sector is the focus of the Bahrain government. They are also interested in sports tourism, youth activities, ecotourism, and hydropower generation. But they need more planning and visualization. I have assured them that our service and other sectors are also good to invest in and have also asked them to visit Nepal and study more on it.  

Nepal and Bahrain lack direct flight connection. Is the Nepali Embassy doing anything about this?

The lack of direct flight has created problems. In order for Nepalis to run their business, to import local products from Nepal, direct flight would have made it so much easier. For example, during our national days, we have shown our organic products like tea, coffee and himalayan water and the Bahranis looked interested in the taste and trade. 

The same goes for tourism. Visitors still have to go through a 12-hour travel time between the two countries but it could be reduced to five to six hours in case of direct flight. The embassy has been trying to open a direct flight service, at least two flights per week, in cooperation with Nepal Airlines and Himalaya Airlines, but nothing has come of it so far. We are still trying. 

Bahrain does not have its embassy in Nepal. Its mission in Delhi handles the affairs concerning Nepal. Do you think this has affected the bilateral communication between Nepal and Bahrain?

I don’t see any problem with Bahrain not having its dedicated embassy in Nepal. Its embassy in Delhi has been supervising and overseeing the bilateral matters with Nepal quite smoothly and consistently, I must say. We communicate with them regularly. If necessary, Nepal and Bahrain can discuss and plan ways to improve bilateral relations through the Delhi mission. Until now we have not encountered any issue with this communication arrangement.