The Labor 2

The Labor 2

Published18 June 2016

Reading Time 2 mins

Author Stories of Nepal

Location Nepal

(2/2) “In Malaysia, we were almost like slaves. You talk when you are told. You sit when you are told and you stand when you are told. I did not understand the language and unknowingly I would get into trouble. So I would have to understand the hand gestures to figure out what my supervisor wanted me to do. Slowly I got accustomed to the hard life there. By this time, I had seen a little bit of school and a little bit of religion. I had been there for 1.5 years and I was getting tired of the oppression. I would watch my friends get beaten for the smallest of mistakes and no one had the courage to stand up. Because they knew the repercussions it had. They would be fired and deported back to the country without any money and who was going to take care of their wives and children. Who would pay their loans? So everyone kept quiet but I was boiling inside. One day before the day started, a supervisor said something and I answered back which he did not like at all, and they started to watch me. We had also formed a loose alliance of Nepali workers and decided we were not going to be beaten anymore and that if something happened we would take a stand. But then it was bound to happen, a friend got beaten. We stopped all work in the factory. In the next two days I got fired. They knew that it was in their best interest to get rid of me. For them I was trouble. So I returned home empty-handed. But I was alive. Many people had lost their lives, and to be back home with my family, my happiness knew no bounds. Today, I run a small restaurant and have a family who is happy. I know that if we invest time and effort in Nepal it is possible. But sadly, it is not possible for everyone. Only for ones who get lucky or for ones who have connections. So today, I can tell you, I have seen a little bit of school, a little bit of religion and a little bit of money.” - (Mingma Sherpa, Satdobato 1, Bhimsen, Charikot, Dolakha)‪#‎StriveStruggleThrive‬_x000D_ _x000D_

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