Malaysia has opened its security sector, which offers a monthly income of more than Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) 1,350 (Rs 38,000), to Nepali migrant workers. About 10,000 Nepalis — ex-soldiers or trained security personnel — will benefit from the policy.

The decision was taken by the Malaysian government respecting the glorious legacy of Gorkha soldiers, official news agency Bernama has reported. “It will help fulfill the growing demand for security guards,” it said quoting chief executive officer at Secure Guards Malaysia Arvindra Dass.

Malaysian companies will now be able to hire ex-soldiers or youth who have undergone training regarding private security guards. “We had been asking the government to open the sector for a long time and it finally listened to our appeals,” said Dass, adding that bravery and honesty were the reasons why Gorkhas were chosen instead of other nationals.

About 30,000 security guards are believed to be working in Malaysia which at present is providing jobs to around 300,000 Nepalis. During its crackdown against illegal workers in August 2011, the Labour Ministry of the destination had located about 10,000 security guards working illegally. The country will legalise them from early 2012.

The move is actually a part of the legalisation process of security guards who were found to be working illegally last year, said vice-president of Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies Kumud Khanal, who has been closely monitoring the process. “But their numbers dropped from 10,000 to 3,500 because of the amnesty plan announced last year, so we will get new hiring also,” he explained.

About 30,000 illegal Nepali workers had taken the benefit of the amnesty plan — either returning home or searching for legal jobs. The Malaysian government had recorded about 283,000 legal Nepali workers during the crackdown but the Nepali government believes there are more than 400,000 workers in the destination.

About 6,000-6,500 Nepalis will get jobs in the security sector in Malaysia under the new policy, said Khanal. “It is a good opportunity for us because security guards receive high salaries that start from MYR 1,350 (Rs 38,000), he said. The average monthly income of security guards is around MYR 1,450 (Rs 40,800).

Nepali workers in the manufacturing and construction sectors earn an average of MYR 853 (Rs 24,000) per month. However, the Nepali government’s minimum wage for the destination is just $ 125 (Rs 11,200).

Published on: 1 July 2012 | The Himalayan Times