Malaysia partially reopens its employment for migrant workers

KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 19: Foreign employment opportunities in Malaysia, previously suspended due to an excess of migrant workers, have now been partially reopened. The Malaysian government has notified the embassies of several countries, indicating that foreign recruitment will resume in select sectors.

Meghnath Bhurtel, Secretary-General of the Foreign Employment Business Association, confirmed that certain sectors in Malaysia are now open to migrant workers from Nepal, too.  According to him, the Nepali embassy, (like other foreign embassies)  based there has been asked to again start the process of conducting medical checkups of workers from Nepal.

The Malaysian government has already announced plans to recruit workers in select sectors such as plantations, services, and garments," Bhurtel stated.

 

This very partial reopening of the Malaysian foreign employment follows a six-month suspension. Malaysia initially halted the recruitment of migrant workers after mid-April. However, for those who had secured visas by May 18, the Malaysian government allowed entry before the end of that month. No new recruitment demands had been issued since.

Malaysia initially halted the recruitment of migrant workers after mid-April. However, for those who had secured visas by May 18, the government allowed entry before the end of that month. No new recruitment demands had been issued since.

Currently, Malaysia employs workers from 15 countries, with Nepal ranking as the third-largest source of labor. India and Indonesia account for the first and second-highest numbers of workers, respectively.

Approximately 500,000 Nepali workers are employed in Malaysia, with around 99% of them working as security guards. The minimum wage for migrant workers is set at 1,500 ringgit, and foreign workers receive equal pay to local employees. Additionally, Malaysia offers social security benefits to migrant workers. As such, it has made this country the most preferred destination for such workers belonging to Nepal.

In 2018, Nepal and Malaysia signed a labor agreement ensuring zero recruitment costs for Nepali workers. However, this agreement expired nearly a year ago, and it has yet to be renewed.