The government has urged one and all not to be lured by false job promises in the information and technology (IT) sector in Thailand and Myanmar.

Issuing a travel advisory on Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it has come to know that Nepalis are taken hostage and forced to do illegal work without salary in a province in Myanmar.

The ministry said it found that Nepalis are taken to Kayin province in Myanmar through land routes via Thailand. The employers then even confiscate their passports and make them involved in illegal works including online fraud for 12-13 hours a day.

Nepalis held hostage and stranded in Myanmar’s region have contacted their relatives in Nepal and the Nepali embassies in Bangkok and Yangon for their rescue, according to the ministry.

Nepali embassies have coordinated with the local government and freed a few and efforts are being made to rescue more Nepalis. As the region is conflict-ridden, there is a huge challenge in conducting a rescue operation as well, the ministry said.

The ministry has advised aspirants to obtain a work permit as per prevailing Nepal law for foreign employment, get detailed information about employment companies and employers and avoid travelling to these countries on tourist/visit visa.