Spokesperson for the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MoLE) Buddhi Bahadur Khadka said the ministry is preparing to send Nepali workers to Malaysia free of cost. "We have realized that there is a need for implementing zero cost as hundreds of Nepali migrant workers are being duped in Malaysia," said Khadka.
However, the ministry is facing difficulties in implementing the plan as the government has already approved the quota acquired by several manpower agencies to send workers to Malaysia. According to the Foreign Employment Act of Nepal, once the quota is valid for three years once approved by the government.
"It would be challenging to implement the zero-cost plan as the government has already approved the quota acquired by several manpower agencies," informed Khadka, adding, "The government cannot stop these recruiting agencies from levying the minimum fee prescribed by the government."
Though the government has set a ceiling of Rs 80,000, manpower agencies have been found charging up to Rs 1, 50,000 from workers heading for employment in Malaysia.
On the other hand, manpower agencies have expressed dissatisfaction over the government's plan send workers to Malaysia and some other top employment destinations free of cost. It may be noted that manpower agencies receive service charge from employers also.
Talking to Republica, Minister of State for Labor and Employment Tek Bahadur Gurung said the government will soon come up with a decision on the issue.
"We haven't finalized anything yet but we are working our best to implement zero cost plan," said Gurung. The government is also planning to send domestic workers to Malaysia.
The MoLE has prepared a draft on carrying out further discussion on how to regulate recruitment in Malaysia and other destination countries in Golf.
Malaysia is the top employment destination for Nepali workers but the Nepal government hasn't signed any labor agreement with it.
According to the Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE), more than 900,000 Nepalis are employed in Malaysia.
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