KATHMANDU, May 17 — A planned flight to Malaysia for security guard job aspirant Ajay Kumar Yadav from Saptari on May 11, 2026 never took off after a manpower agency allegedly demanded three times the legal fee under the government’s “free visa, free ticket” policy.
Yadav had already paid NPR 70,000 even though the official cost for such placement should not exceed NPR 10,000. However, the Koteshwor-based “Grand Sweet Job” manpower agency reportedly insisted on NPR 300,000, refusing to release his documents unless the full amount was paid.
While the employer company had already issued the visa and ticket, Yadav’s dream of foreign employment stalled due to the unpaid amount. The agency later agreed to send him on May 17, 2026 if he cleared the remaining NPR 220,000.
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To arrange the money, Yadav travelled to Kathmandu and was later contacted by an employee of the same manpower agency, who asked him to bring cash to a meeting point near the petrol pump in Gairigaun, Thinkune.
By then, Yadav had already reported the issue to the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security. Acting on this, the minister’s secretariat, including personal secretary Saroj Yadav, coordinated with police and journalists and reached the Thinkune police circle.
When Yadav met the agent, the employee first demanded payment. Yadav insisted he would hand over the money only after receiving his passport and documents. A brief confrontation followed, after which police arrested the agent on the spot.
The suspect later admitted demanding NPR 300,000 for a job that should cost only NPR 10,000 under the “free visa, free ticket” rule. He was taken to the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office for further questioning.
Police also recovered four passports along with flight tickets and other documents from the agent, indicating he had collected money from multiple applicants in exchange for travel paperwork.
The arrest has once again exposed how manpower agencies exploit migrant workers by violating government rules and charging exorbitant fees under foreign employment schemes.
Ministerial aide Saroj Yadav said, “Today we stopped an innocent Nepali from being cheated in Gairigaun, Thinkune. We thank the police for their support in this operation.”
Ajay Yadav had been preparing to travel to Malaysia for a security guard job after completing all procedures through the agency’s Jhapa branch. Although the government sets the official fee at NPR 10,000, the agency had demanded NPR 310,000, initially negotiating it down to NPR 300,000 while already collecting NPR 70,000 in advance.
The agency allegedly withheld his passport, labour approval, and ticket until full payment was made, effectively trapping him in the process.
When questioned by police on why such a large sum was demanded under a “free visa, free ticket” policy, the arrested agent reportedly fell silent.
Following police intervention, Yadav’s passport, labour permit, insurance, and ticket were recovered and handed back, clearing the way for his departure to Malaysia on May 17, 2026.
Expressing relief, Yadav said he was first told that no money would be required, but later threatened that he could not travel without paying NPR 300,000. “Poor people borrow money just to survive. Those who run such scams should face strict action,” he said.
The minister’s secretariat has urged migrant workers facing issues abroad or at home to directly contact the Labour Ministry. Police have continued investigations into the arrested agent.
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