Opportunity or Exploitation? Kuwait’s ’15-Day Flight Guarantee’ Jobs Spark Hope and Concern in Nepal
Kathmandu, October 9 – A new recruitment drive promising employment in Kuwait with a guaranteed departure within 15 days is creating a significant buzz in Nepal’s job market. Advertised under the banner “KDI – DAILY PICK KUWAIT,” the campaign specifically targets young Nepali men and women for positions in the food and beverage sector. However, while the promise of rapid overseas employment is alluring to many, the terms and conditions detailed in the advertisement have raised eyebrows among labour rights advocates.
The recruitment notice, currently circulating on social media and in recruitment agencies, lists two primary vacancies: Pizza Maker and Counter Crew. For a country where overseas remittances form a critical backbone of the economy, such offers are often seen as a fast track to financial stability.
The Alluring Promise: Speed and Specifics
The most prominent feature of the advertisement is the bold, double-asterisked guarantee: “FLIGHT WITHIN 15 DAYS GUARANTEE.” For thousands of aspiring migrant workers, often subjected to long, uncertain waiting periods after paying hefty fees, this assurance is a powerful incentive.
The positions offered are detailed with clear quotas. The company seeks 20 male Pizza Makers with a salary of 150 Kuwaiti Dinar (KD) per month, requiring prior experience and familiarity with oven stoves. For the Counter Crew role, which is open to both men and women, the salary is slightly higher at 160 KD. The company aims to hire 8 men and 30 women for these positions, mandating “Excellent English” and experience as a Barista or Cashier.
The basic eligibility criteria are standard for many Gulf-bound jobs: candidates must be between 21 and 30 years old, with a minimum height of 5 feet (155 cm). The stated working hours are 9 hours of duty followed by an 11-hour break, for 26 working days a month.
The Fine Print: A Closer Look at the Package
Beneath the promising headlines, the terms and conditions reveal a more complex picture that has become a point of discussion and concern. The advertisement states that “Food & Accommodation: (SELF) Included in Salary.” This phrasing is critical. It indicates that the stated salary of 150-160 KD is not a net figure but a gross package intended to cover the worker’s living expenses.
This model shifts the burden of securing and funding one’s own housing and meals onto the employee. For a worker earning 150 KD (approximately NPR 65,000 per month at current exchange rates), finding and paying for rent, utilities, and food in a country like Kuwait could consume a substantial portion of their income.
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The company does offer an alternative, but it comes at a cost. A note under “Accommodation” clarifies that if candidates choose company-provided housing, KD 30 will be deducted from their salary. For a Pizza Maker, this single deduction would represent 20% of their gross pay, leaving them with 120 KD. Similarly, a Counter Crew would see their salary reduced to 130 KD. The advertisement does not specify whether this accommodation deduction includes utilities or food, leaving room for potential additional out-of-pocket expenses.
“While the ‘self’ accommodation model is not unheard of, it poses a significant risk, especially for first-time migrant workers,” commented a representative from the Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies (NAFEA), who wished to remain anonymous. “They arrive in a foreign country and immediately face the challenge of navigating the housing market with a very limited budget. The company-provided option, while simpler, takes a large chunk of their earnings, which may not have been the applicant’s initial expectation.”
A Race Against Time: The Recruitment Process
The urgency of the campaign is further emphasized by the interview timeline. The notice states that pre-interviews are “Going On,” with a “Final Interview” scheduled for Wednesday, 15th October, to be conducted online. This tight schedule aligns with the 15-day flight guarantee, suggesting a highly streamlined, rapid-fire recruitment process designed to quickly fill vacancies.
Labour rights activists have urged caution. “Speed in recruitment can sometimes mean a lack of due diligence,” said Umesh Basnet of the Migrant Workers’ Society. “Prospective applicants must scrutinize these offers meticulously. They need to calculate what their net, take-home savings will be after all deductions and living expenses. A salary figure looks good on paper, but its real value is determined by what remains after all costs.”
For many young Nepalis, however, the lure of immediate employment outweighs the uncertainties. The chance to work abroad, learn new skills, and earn a foreign currency salary remains a powerful dream. As the final interview date approaches, hundreds are likely to vie for these positions, placing their hopes in the promise of a flight within 15 days, while navigating the complex reality of the terms that await them on the other side.
Things Migrant Workers Must Know Before Going for Foreign Employment
Every year, thousands of Nepali workers go abroad for foreign employment. To avoid unnecessary risks and problems, it is very important for workers to be aware and prepared before departure. The following points are essential for every worker to know:
- Skills, Qualification, and Understanding of Work
- Learn some skills before going abroad and have a clear understanding of the work you can do and are capable of.
- Be well informed about the type of work and the salary you will receive.
- Comparison of Income and Expenses
- Compare the expenses required and the income you will receive, and only choose work that is profitable.
- Clearly understand how much money will be spent. If any agent or company hesitates to provide receipts, it may be a sign of fraud.
- Consultation with Family
- Go abroad only after discussing with and getting the consent of your family.
- Be mentally prepared before departure.
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- Legal Procedures
- You must obtain labor approval from the Department of Foreign Employment before going abroad.
- Do not go abroad on a business or visit visa for employment purposes.
- Never use false or forged documents intentionally.
- Accidents and Insurance
- There are risks of accidents, injuries, or even death while working abroad.
- Having compulsory insurance ensures financial support for the worker and their family in case of such incidents.
- Manpower Company and Agents
- Always go abroad through a trusted and licensed manpower company.
- Take a written receipt after paying any fees.
- If you face fraud or cheating, immediately file a complaint with the Department of Foreign Employment.
- Travel and Safety
- Always travel through Nepal’s own international airport.
- Do not travel via neighboring countries, as it increases the risk of being cheated or trafficked.
- Information About Destination Country
- Gather basic information about the country you are going to, such as geography, climate, culture, religion, laws, and working environment.
- Attending the pre-departure orientation training is compulsory for all workers.
- Essential Documents
- Keep a copy of all important documents (passport, contract, insurance papers, receipts, etc.) with yourself and also leave a copy with your family.
- Complaints and Information
- If you are cheated during the process of foreign employment, report it to the Department of Foreign Employment.
- For any information, you can contact the Department of Foreign Employment or the Foreign Employment Promotion Board Secretariat.
- Verify whether the advertisement published in media outlets is genuine or not, as some fraudulent advertisements may be published to deceive workers.
- Never go to countries or jobs that are prohibited by the Government of Nepal.
DOFE Website Please check Your VISA/Agreement/Lot Number /Other Information
