The Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE) has said a meeting with the visiting Malaysian delegation scheduled for Thursday could give ‘some breakthrough’ in the stalled process to sign a labour agreement with Nepal’s largest foreign employment destination.

A nine-member delegation led by Malaysian Human Resources Minister Datuk Richard Anak Jaem arrived in the Capital on Wednesday for a two-day official visit. The delegation had visited Bangladesh prior coming to Nepal.

Nepal and Malaysia have not signed a labour agreement despite relentless efforts from the Nepali side. The government had sent a preliminary draft of the agreement to Malaysia in June last year, a third proposal in two years. The Malaysian authorities, however, have not made any remarks on the proposed draft so far.

The draft envisions various “internationally accepted” provisions ranging from minimum wage scale, maximum work hours, gratuity, leave, food and accommodation and health services. MoLE Secretary Bhola Prasad Siwakoti said his ministry will formally ask the Malaysian delegation to release the Nepali workers languishing in Malaysian jail and facilitate in repatriation of those working illegally in the Islamic kingdom.

He said the meeting is likely to reach some understanding on recruitment of Nepali domestic workers. Malaysia has shown interest hiring Nepali maids. “We don’t have any agreement on the table. There will be thorough discussion on ways to protect and promote workers’ rights,” said Siwakoti. The ministry is also preparing to ask the Malaysian government to find measures to cut down higher recruitment fee that workers pay to agents. Workers pay at least Rs 125,000 to go to Malaysia though the maximum fee fixed by government is Rs 80,000.

“The recruitment cost would decrease by a huge margin if the labour sending and labour receiving countries regulate local agents,” said a ministry official. Talking to the Post a few days ago, State Minister for Labour Tek Bahadur Gurung had said he would request the Malaysian government to facilitate Nepali recruitment agencies in having direct access to employers.

“There will be formal request to arrange free visas for Nepali workers from our side,” said Gurung. Nepali Embassy in Malaysia estimates that some 700,000 Nepalis work in Malaysia, of which around 40,000 are said to be living without legal status.  Stakeholders in Nepal are cautious about possible downfall in the demand of Nepali workers after Malaysia on Tuesday decided to lift ban on Bangladeshi workers. Malaysia had stopped hiring workers from Bangladesh in all areas except plantation.

Recruiting agencies in Nepal said the move could affect Nepali workers as it is much cheaper for employers to hire Bangladeshi workers.

Published on: 21 August 2014 | The Kathmandu Post