The Gurkhas have been bravely fighting in the frontlines of various conflicts on behalf of the British Empire, but always as second class citizens in terms of how they were treated, never receiving equal pay, pension and benefits. Unlike their UK counterparts, they have been largely separated from their families during their time of service, never receiving any family/separation and education allowances.

As a result, it is hard for them even to maintain a normal living standard after leaving the army and must go abroad to seek second career jobs. Many of them return to Hong Kong, Brunei, Macao, UK or other parts of the world. Most of them work as security guards and like this they become separated from their families once again. With an equal pension allowance, they would not need to do this.

The government of Nepal has not been very co-operative regarding their campaigns for justice and equality. The UK government has been continuously dismissing them as poor members of a third world country.

The Gurkhas have won several victories in the past three years, including a compensation payment of £10,000 for each Japanese PoW, equal legal status while in the army, the invalidation of 1947 Tri-Partite Agreement (TPA) regarding their discriminatory terms and conditions, Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK for those retired after the handover of Hong Kong to China. The review of terms and conditions of Gurkhas, mainly regarding pay and pension issues, is currently underway.

Despite these positive developments, those ex-Gurkhas who launched the campaign for equality are still the main losers. The UK government, particularly the Brigade of Gurkhas and the Ministry of Defence along with the Home Office, are making totally unjustified distinctions in their pensions and unrestricted travel to the UK and indefinite stay.

There is and will be no problem in the future for the serving Gurkhas and those ex-servicemen who are already in the UK. Now there is a small number of about 15,000 British-trained and well-disciplined, skilled people who would like to go to the UK, bringing economic benefits both for them as well as the British public. They claim it as their right having given their whole career to the British Army. Compared to the general flow of unskilled immigrants and asylum-seekers into the UK, this number is insignificant. In addition, there are about 5,000 or less people who receive no pension at all and are living their desperate lives in Nepal even after serving in World War II on behalf of Britain and other wars such as those in Malaya and the Falklands. This is not a matter of any financial burden for the UK government compared to what the Gurkhas have contributed to the country.

The Gurkhas are demanding that the on-going review as announced by Minister of State, Geoffrey Hoon, must cover all these issues and put an end to these grievances forever. This could mark a new start to the relationship and loyalty between the Gurkhas and the British people.