Malaysia labour row puts Nepali jobs at risk
Summary
A dispute over recruitment agencies has put Nepali workers’ access to Malaysia at risk, with both governments at odds over a new system that limits authorised agencies. Nepal has objected and halted new recruitment under the arrangement while urging diplomatic talks to resolve the issue.
Key Points
- Malaysia has authorised 25 Nepali recruitment agencies as principal agencies under a new foreign-worker recruitment system, triggering objections from Nepal.
- Nepal says the move restricts competition and wants all licensed agencies allowed to send workers to Malaysia through bilateral consultation.
- The Nepali government has ordered an investigation into the selected agencies and stalled new recruitment under Malaysia’s new system.
- Around 400,000 Nepali workers are currently employed in Malaysia, making it a major overseas job destination for Nepal.
