Nepal lifts ban on sending workers to Afghanistan

Kathmandu, Oct 17: Nepal has lifted a four-month ban on sending Nepalese workers to Afghanistan, which was imposed after the country's security guards were killed in a Taliban attack, a government official said.

The Himalayan nation imposed the ban on June 23 after the Taliban attack on June 20, killing 13 Nepalese and two Indian nationals who were working as security guards at the Canadian Embassy in Kabul.

Six Nepalese were injured in the attack.

Govinda Mani Bhurtel, spokesperson at the Ministry of Labour and Employment, told Xinhua news agency late Sunday that the decision was made at last weeek's cabinet meeting.

According to Bhurtel, the ban was lifted under certain conditions as per which Nepalese workers will be allowed to work only inside the green zone where the UN and other diplomatic agencies are present.

"The employer should arrange shelter for Nepalese workers around the workplace and if they have to travel outside, there should be the provision of security escort and bullet proof vehicles," Bhurtel added.

IANS