Some 100‚000 illegal Nepali migrant workers´ employment at risk

one of most preferred destinations of Nepali migrant workers — is stopping hiring foreign worker from July 1 to implement its plan to legalise illegal migrant workers.

“The action could affect about 100,000 Nepalis working illegally in the country,” said general secretary of Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies Kumud Khanal. “There will be no new hiring for the time being,” he said, adding that and the old workers will be slowly phased out.

Nepal should talk to the Malaysian to retain Nepali workers. “We have to find the ways to legalise our workers by issuing new passports and work permit to them,” he suggested. Nepalis working illegally in Malaysia do not have valid work permit and passport. So they cannot apply for legalisation process that starts next month. “If the government acts today, we can protect around 100,000 jobs, Khanal said, suggesting the government to empower Nepali embassy in issuing work permits and passports to illegal migrants. “It will give them legal status and they can apply for the legalisation process.”

Similarly, Malaysian government’s decision to stop hiring new migrant workers will affect Nepali outsourcing sector from next few month. “Though the ‘no-hiring’ period is not fixed yet, Nepal will have to find some other destination to send some 6,500 Nepalis, who have been flying to Malaysia per month in an average currently,” he said.

Around 500,000 Nepalis are working in Malaysia in construction, plantation and factories, whereas Nepalis involvement in service, domestic helps and caregivers is limited to some thousands only.

According to Bernama — the official news agency of Malaysia — Malaysia is legalising its two million illegal migrants in next few months. Those who do not meet legalisation criteria will be deported as mass amnesty. The malaysian cabinet decided on June 22 to legalise migrant workers. “We are freezing all foreign workers applications from July 1,” Bernama has quoted Malaysian deputy home minister Lee Chee Leong. “It will for few months.”

Published on: 13 June 2011 | The Himalayan Times