Narendra Bhattarai from Nepal's Panchthar District was a writer, poet and an aspiring filmmaker in his home country before moving to Qatarto seek better opportunities in 2007.

Bhattarai planned his move carefully. The artist paid an agent a significant amount of money to ensure he would get a job as a driver with a relatively high salary.

Upon his arrival, however, he was forced to work as a construction worker. He was guaranteed 900 Qatari riyals (then approximately $247) per month but ended up only receiving 600 riyals.

"I dreamed of providing a quality life to my family but I ended up being a victim of labor exploitation," Bhattarai told DW.

Bhattarai had to work very hard in Qatar to repay his debt for several years. He then returned to Nepal, resuming his passion for poetry and filmmaking, and continued to struggle for money.

In 2019, the artist was traveling to Portugal for a movie screening, and learned he could apply for residency and work legally in the EU country. He decided to stay.

"Long-term residency in Europe means providing certainty in the future for me and my family," he told DW.

Bhattarai was one of several hundred Nepalese who found work in Portugal in 2019.

Official data from the Nepal government shows that only 25 individuals received Portuguese work permits in 2018, but the number surged to 461 the following year.

Portugal needed workers with lower skills........

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