Global financial crisis hits Qatar

Global financial crisis has hit the construction sector in Qater, which has been known as most popular destination for Nepali migrant workers.

It is estimated that more than 300 thousand Nepali migrant workers are working in Qatar and 95 percent of them are in construction sector.

According to the Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE), 6,413 Nepalis left for Qatar in the seventh month of this fiscal year. In 2008, an average of 3,647 Nepalis left for Qatar and the trend is decreasing in 2009.

Reports said that the major construction companies in Qatar have halted new projects and that is hitting all Nepali workers directly. In the first seven months of this fiscal year, Qatar absorbed a total of 46,202 Nepali migrant labourers. The number is down from 47,509 during the corresponding period last year.

A DoFE data shows that Qatar presently employs some 2,86,511 Nepali employees.

Qatar emerged as the most popular destination for most of the unskilled and manual works in construction works. A small number of Nepalis is also working in the service sector like petrol pumps, hotels, restaurants and shopping malls.