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Ahmadul Kobir, Malaysia: Malaysia and Nepal have agreed to establish a more transparent and orderly mechanism for recruiting migrant workers, with the aim of preventing exploitation, reducing excessive recruitment costs and curbing the activities of unscrupulous intermediaries.
Malaysia’s Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R Ramanan disclosed this following a telephone conversation with Nepal’s Minister of Youth, Labour and Employment Ramjee Yadav. The two ministers also discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in labour and employment.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, Ramanan said Malaysia and Nepal recognised the need for a more systematic and accountable mechanism for recruiting Nepali workers for employment in Malaysia.
Both sides agreed on the importance of addressing practices that place excessive financial burdens on workers or expose them to exploitation, abuse and unscrupulous intermediaries, he said.
Ramanan said Malaysia remained committed to managing foreign workers based on the principles of integrity, transparency, accountability and worker protection, while taking into account the genuine needs of the country’s industries and labour market.
“Our principle is clear. The system must protect workers, facilitate employers, and at the same time leave no room for exploitation and abuse,” he said.
The proposed approach is expected to place greater emphasis on transparency throughout the recruitment process, including clearer procedures and greater accountability among those involved in recruiting and placing migrant workers.
The two countries have maintained diplomatic relations since 1960, and Ramanan said they would continue communication through appropriate bilateral channels to strengthen cooperation in labour and employment.
Malaysia is a major destination for Nepali migrant workers, who are employed in sectors including manufacturing, construction, services and other industries. Recruitment costs, intermediary practices and worker protection have remained important issues in Malaysia’s foreign-worker management.
Meanwhile, Ramanan conveyed his condolences and sympathies to the Nepalese government and people following the loss of lives and widespread destruction caused by devastating floods in Nepal last month.
He said Malaysia’s Madani government would continue to closely monitor the situation of 55 Malaysians who remained uncontactable following the disaster.
International media reports said the disaster near the Nepal-China border on August 26 had caused extensive casualties and damage, with the reported death toll exceeding 1,450 and more than 6,000 people reported missing across Nepal and China.
The two ministers’ discussion comes as Malaysia continues efforts to improve the governance of its foreign-worker recruitment system while balancing employers’ labour requirements with stronger safeguards for migrant workers.