Boy, this is a surprise.  My thoughts with this is that if Nepalese workers have to leave, that would include security contractors.  That is too bad because these are some excellent guys to have for security work.  I certainly hope these countries can work on lifting their bans, because all of these workers are bringing back money earned in war zones and spending it in their local economies back home. They are also providing a much needed service in Iraq.

     But yeah, if these countries do not want them in Iraq, then we should honor that.  But we should also try to be working the diplomatic angle with these countries. All of these folks want an opportunity to work in Iraq, and if Iraq is alright with that and things are safer than several years back, then I do not see the what the issue is. -Matt

Edit: 08/05/2010- It looks like Nepal has lifted the ban for their citizens.  It sounds like the Philippines is getting close to lifting their ban.  In the comments, I posted two stories that talked about both.

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US orders pullout of all Pinoy workers in Iraq

By Dindo Amparo

07/26/2010

Thousands of Filipino workers in Iraq are on the brink of losing their jobs after the US government ordered all its military contractors to send home expatriate workers whose country imposes a travel ban in Iraq.

The deadline for expatriation is August 9.

In a memorandum issued by the United States Central Command last July 20, Colonel Richard Nolan, senior contracting officer of the Iraw CentCom Contracting Command said: “All contractors in Iraq have 20 days from the date of this letter to ensure their employees comply with US and international law and understood their redeployment responsibilities under the term of their contract.”

The memo added: “It is the contractor’s responsibility to ensure that it is not employing people from countries prohibited from entry to Iraq.”

The decision of the US Central Command was also triggered by reports that some expatriate workers including Filipinos were abandoned by their contractors in various camps throughout Iraq, raising concerns about violations committed by various contractors including hiring workers from countries that have imposed travel and work restrictions.

The Philippines and Nepal are among those mentioned among countries whose nationals were able to enter and work in Iraq despite the travel ban imposed by their host governments.

Most Filipino workers were hired directly by agency contractors operating in neighboring countries like the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Jordan and others.

A Filipina in Iraq, who requested anonymity, said she and fellow Filipino workers are deeply saddened by the US government’s decision to strictly enforce the “no entry to Iraq” policy of various governments including the Philippines.

She said most Filipinos in Iraq are earning relatively well, with the average minimum wage pegged at $800 per month. She added that the peace and order situation in Iraq has greatly improved and working inside US military camps is relatively safe.

They appealed to President Benigno Aquino to immediately send Philippine representatives to Iraq to avert the upcoming forced deportation of thousands of Filipino workers in that country.

The labor department said about 10,000 Filipinos are working in Iraq as of last year despite a travel ban. Iraq’s Charge D’Affaires Adel Mawlood Hamoudi al-Hakimh said the number has already risen to 15,000.

Story here.