The Social Impact of Foreign Employment: Struggles of Families in Dhangadhi

In Dhangadhi, a recurring issue has emerged where elderly parents are left alone as their children seek employment abroad.

The resulting separation poses significant emotional and logistical challenges, particularly when it comes to performing last rites. Economic Relief but Social Strain While foreign employment has alleviated economic struggles, it has introduced severe social problems within families and communities.

The primary challenge is the inability of children to return home immediately upon the death of a parent, causing distress for both the deceased and the bereaved family members.

Personal Accounts of Distress Ganesh Bahadur Dhanuk's case from Dhangadhi sub-metropolitan city-1, Pashupati Tol, highlights this issue. After his death on Falgun 12th, his last rites were delayed for three days until his son could return from Denmark.

Similarly, Buddhiram Gurung of Dhangadhi-12 Jugeda Gumba village passed away on Ashar 30. His son Jeevan, working in Dubai, faced a five-day delay in returning home, resulting in the body being kept for five days before the last rites could be performed.

Jeevan had to cancel his visa, reflecting the severe personal and professional sacrifices involved. Impact on the Elderly The elderly left behind face the pain of not seeing their children during their final moments.

Jeevan Gurung mentioned the helplessness of having to leave his sick father to seek employment abroad. He emphasized that the state's failure to create domestic employment opportunities forces youth to migrate, leaving their elderly parents vulnerable.

Current Measures and Gaps The Dhangadhi sub-metropolitan city has introduced body humidification services to preserve the deceased until family members return. However, this service is not available in other areas of the Far West, leading to a compulsion to perform last rites prematurely.

Call for Change The ongoing issue reflects the urgent need for the government to create sustainable employment opportunities within the country. Investing in sectors like agriculture, tourism, industry, and trade could prevent the youth from seeking employment abroad, thus mitigating the social issues arising from such separations.

Conclusion While foreign employment provides economic benefits, it significantly strains family structures and community bonds. The government’s role in addressing this imbalance by fostering local employment opportunities is crucial to preventing the emotional and social fallout experienced by families in Dhangadhi and beyond.