Recruiting firms threaten to stop processing Malaysia-bound workers
KATHMANDU, Jan 19: Amid fierce opposition from the manpower recruiting companies, Malaysia- one of the preferred working destinations for Nepali migrant workers – has has brought into effect a bio-metric system for Nepal along with 14 other countries. The bio-metric system is a health checkup system which involves the use of a fingerprint scanner and video camera.
In a letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, the Malaysian embassy informed that Malaysia´s Department of Immigration will only accept and process medical reports submitted under the bio-metric system.
Meanwhile, the manpower firms have said that they will not send workers under the new system unless the Nepal government takes a final call. The government is yet to give its final approval for implementation of the new system in Nepal.
“The Malaysian side sent their response nearly a year after we sent our letter expressing some concerns. Albeit late, most of our concerns have been addressed. We will take a decision either to allow implementation of the new system soon,” Bhola Prasad Shiwakoti, secretary at the Ministry of Labour and Employment, told Republica.
While the recruiting firms and the government have voiced concern that the new health test system will be an extra financial burden for the workers, the embassy´s letter stated that there will be no new or additional charges imposed at the medical centers that conduct the bio-metric tests.