UAE to launch direct flights to Nepal

United Arab Emirates (UAE) is set to start direct flights to Kathmandu.

UAE Labour Minister Dr Ali Bin Abdullah Al-Kaabi told a news conference at the end of his three-day tour to Nepal on Wednesday that the UAE national flag carrier, Emirates Airlines, would launch direct flights to Kathmandu from October 28 this year.

Direct flights to Kathmandu will help make travel easier for Nepali workers as well as increase the number of tourists in Nepal. He also informed that the UAE was planning to establish its contact office in Kathmandu by the end of December.

On Tuesday, Nepal and UAE signed Labour Agreement, which gives legal status to Nepali workers in the UAE ensuring the rights according to the local laws.

The labour agreement, signed for the first time with a Gulf state, is also believed to increase the minimum wage of Nepali workers in UAE.

There are 150,000 Nepalis working in UAE alone. The agreement, which is meant for four years, will be automatically renewed for another four years.

Speaking at the joint news conference today, Minister of State for Labour and Transport Management Ramesh Lekhak said the labour agreement was an important step in resolving the problems facing Nepali workers in UAE.

“Earlier, there was no government to government communication. We had difficulties discussing the problems of workers with the right authority. The labour agreement will make things easier,” he said.

source: nepalnews.com