Nepal, Malaysia renew three-year deal on migrant worker rights
Summary
Nepal and Malaysia have renewed a three-year agreement to investigate rights violations against Nepali migrant workers and improve access to justice. The deal also focuses on detention conditions, recruitment fees, forced labour risks and social security access for workers in Malaysia.
Key Points
- The National Human Rights Commission of Nepal and Malaysia’s Human Rights Commission renewed a 2026–2028 memorandum of understanding on migrant worker rights.
- The agreement covers joint investigations, monitoring of detention centres, policy measures on recruitment fees and forced labour, and better access to social security.
- The two commissions will work with Malaysia’s Social Security Organisation and meet stakeholders, including the Nepali Embassy and NRNA Malaysia.
- SUHAKAM said about 400,000 Nepali workers are in Malaysia and registered 46 complaints between 2021 and August 2026.
