In October last year, the Malaysian government decided to allow only Nepali nationals to work in its security sector. Malaysian Deputy Home Minister Datuk Abu Seman Yusop, according to Malaysian National News Agency Bernama, said the rationale to recruit Nepali citizen was ‘their (Nepalis) good image, loyalty, management, discipline and compliance during their service under British rule’. 

This announcement of Malaysia, according to manpower companies, has created job opportunities for 30,000 Nepali workers in the security sector. This is an indication of how Nepali nationals have developed a veritable image in the security sector due to their long engagement in combat and non-combat security role around the world. The fact that a large section of Nepali people have been engaged in security jobs from neighbouring India to the Gulf and as far as the Middle East shows growing demand of Nepalis in the security sector around the world.

‘’The demand of Nepali in the Gulf and the Middle East is a new phenomenon. The record show that the number is consistently growing,’’ said Kumud Khanal, secretary of the Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies (NAFEA). 

Say it war-torn Iraq or Afghanistan or Libya, thousands of Nepalis are working as security guards. A huge number of these people, mostly undocumented, have been employed as security guards by diplomatic missions, military camps, and security services and so on. Although there is no exact data, it is believed that around 2 percent of total Nepali migrant workers are formally employed in the security sector in the countries beside India. 

In India, where the number of migrant Nepali workers is expected to be over 3.5 million, a large number work in security sector. The engagement of Nepal in combat and non-combat roles in the world stage is not a new phenomenon. The brand of loyal, brave and disciplined soldier goes well back to the war Nepal fought with the then British East India Company in 1814-1816. When neither side won the war, it ended in the Peace Treaty where Nepal agreed to send its youths to be recruited to serve under contract in the East India Company’s army. The British employed a huge number of Nepali force in the world war and various wars inside India, including the suppression of Sepoy mutiny and Anglo-Sikh wars and well beyond. 

Following the tripartite agreement among Nepal, the UK, India and Nepal in 1947, Nepal continued its commitment to allow its youth to be recruitment for both the countries. 

Besides contributing its youths in the army of two other sovereign nations, Nepal has been deploying a large section of its soldier in the United Nations peacekeeping missions.

The involvement such a huge section of its national in the world front and glorified past is the fundamental reason why Nepalis enjoy so much of opportunities in the security sector over other countries. 

“The Malaysian government in 2008 was deeply divided over the recruitment of Nepalis in its security sector. But even those who were against recruiting Nepali had Nepali security guard in work,” said Rishi Raj Adhikari, former Nepali ambassador to Malaysia. 

Due to a big demand in the security jobs, even inexperienced are allured or literally dragged to pick it as profession. In the backdrop of growing insecurity and war, some claims there is increasing risk that Nepali might end up getting no other job beside security sector. However, Adhikari, who is also the executive director of the Nepal Institute of Foreign Affairs, said there will not be any impact on other sectors. 

“This should be considered as a privilege given to Nepalis for their past glory and their support to the world. In Malaysia, security guards earn comparatively more than other workers,” said Adhikari.

The image of Nepali security is towering as some Arabic countries like Qatar are even hiring Nepalis in its police and army as they do not have enough manpower, according to Bal Bahadur Tamang, NAFEA chairman. ‘’Since the salary in the security sector is huge compared, youths are found to have paid at least Rs 600,000 to be recruited,” said Tamang, adding that the government should control practice of charging exorbitant fees to ensure an equal work opportunity.  
However, it’s very hard for many security guards, mostly those working under semi-mercenary status.   
Apart from higher risks involved, the security job is neither productive nor well-paid.

The condition of thousands of Nepali working as security guards in India is particularly painstaking. Besides poor salary, majority faces deep humiliation and is often stereotyped or negatively portrayed in public domain and in the movie. The image of Nepali national in India has been stereotyped as ‘bahadur’ irrespective of their work or social standing. 

Experts believe the government should concentrate more on producing technical manpower to transform that image. The record of the Department of Foreign Employment show over 75 percent of our migrant population is totally unskilled, mostly from agricultural background. “The current overseas market is explored by workers with their own merit. The government has to channelise investment in producing technical and highly skilled manpower rather than distributing passports to youths to do blue-collar jobs,” said Ganesh Gurung, a foreign employment expert.

Published on: 16 April 2013 | The Kathmandu Post