Kathmandu: The Government of Nepal has issued a three-point travel advisory for Nepali citizens planning to travel to Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos, particularly for foreign employment purposes.

The advisory, released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, highlights increasing cases of human trafficking and exploitation of Nepali nationals in these countries. The Ministry has urged citizens to exercise caution and take necessary precautions to avoid falling victim to criminal networks.

According to the Ministry, there have been reports of racketeers luring Nepalis with promises of attractive salaries, only to exploit them by confiscating their passports, forcing them into illegal activities, subjecting them to excessive working hours (12–13 hours a day), physical torture, and withholding wages.

The Ministry has emphasized that engaging in such illegal activities is punishable under the law and urged citizens to avoid traveling on visit visas for employment purposes.

"Nepali nationals are requested not to travel on a visit visa for the purpose of foreign employment and obtain adequate information about foreign firms, companies, and employers through the concerned Nepali missions abroad," the advisory stated.

Additionally, the Ministry advised prospective workers to personally verify the credentials of foreign firms, companies, and employers through official websites and other reliable sources before accepting any job offers.

This travel advisory aims to safeguard Nepali citizens from falling prey to human trafficking and exploitation abroad.