Nepal, Aug. 2 -- ecades ago, Khem Lakai was working in a hotel in Bahrain when he encountered many young Nepali migrant workers. Unlike his job, many were working back-breaking, low-paying unskilled jobs.

The pay was low, and many had paid recruiters hefty sums for which they had to borrow from loan sharks, which they then had to repay with savings. Only after that could they start sending money to families back home.

"When I was in Bahrain, I saw many young Nepalis doing odd jobs for low pay," recalls Lakai. "I thought that if they only had marketable skills, they would not have such a difficult life and could earn more."

Lakai had studied hospitality in Switzerland and accumulated considerable skill and experience in many countries b...