Minor held before flying off to Kuwait to work as maid
ANJALI SUBEDI
KATHMANDU, June 22: She just turned thirteen. Nevertheless, she has already acquired legal permit for foreign employment, more precisely, a private servant permit to work in Kuwait.
This became possible because according to her citizenship certificate and passport Lapka Tamang of Chitlang VDC of Sindhupalchowk district is already 20.
Lakpa was about to fly off to Kuwait when she was intercepted at the Tribhuvan International Airport on Wednesday. Lakpa was stopped by the air hostesses of Qatar Airways as she looked far younger than the age mentioned in her documents. The airport authority instantly handed her over to Maiti Nepal.
Lakpa later admitted at a press conference in Maiti Nepal that she was only thirteen.
Founder of Maiti Nepal Anuradha Koirala at the press conference said Lakpa´s citizenship certificates and documents appear to have been unlawfully obtained by furnishing fake documents.
“I was already in the plane but they told me to get off,” said Lakpa. “They asked me my age. I told 20 but they told me to get off,” she added.
According to Lakpa she was going to Kuwait to work as a “housemaid”. She even had a domestic worker certificate provided by Sangam Management Service Private Limited in Tinkune, Baneshwar. However, despite six-month training that her certificate mentioned, Lakpa absolutely had no idea about the work of a domestic help.
“My uncle got me the certificate. I have never undergone any kind of training,” admitted Lakpa.
Raj Tamang of Okhaldunga is whom Tamang calls her uncle. Raj came into contact with Lakpa´s family six months ago and had convinced them of a bright future for their girl in Kuwait.
“Earlier my parents were not ready to provide him Rs 10,000 for my passport. But later they managed it. I had thought I would go there and earn enough money to send back home,” said Lakpa.
Lakpa still believes that she would have made it big had she been allowed to fly to Kuwait. “One of my friends sends her parents Rs 2,000 every month,” she claimed.
Lakpa said she would still go to Kuwait, if she were allowed.
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Minor Held Before Flying Off To Kuwait To Work As Maid
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