Kathmandu, June 21
The government of Nepal says it may stop sending migrant workers to Malaysia, one of the most popular labour destinations for Nepali youth, till the two countries sign a labour agreement.
The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security says it will stop sending the workers as repeated negotiation attempts for the agreement failed. However, the Ministry says workers who are at the final stage of obtaining labour permit will not be barred from flying.
Currently, the process of sending workers to this country has been halted after the government has stopped giving labour permits in a bid to stop activities of various companies involved in fleecing migrant workers. Instead, the government is preparing to sign a labour agreement.
The two countries have already held rounds of discussions for the agreement, but in vain mainly due to the apathy of host government.
After the two governments sign such agreement, workers’ minimum wage and other facilities, insurance, security benefits and other issues will be decided beforehand.
“Currently, there are many problems are physical and financial security of our workers in Malaysia,” an official at the Ministry says, “Therefore, we have begun discussions about sending the workers only after signing the labour agreement.”
