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KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE) today questioned the need for bio-medical system introduced in the country by the Malaysian government for workers bound for the southeast Asian country.
The ministry raised the question during a meeting with officials of various government agencies and representatives of various umbrella bodies working in the foreign employment sector.
“Why is the system necessary for Nepalis seeking jobs in Malaysia and will it raise medical check-up fee for migrants?” an official who participated in the meeting quoted an MoLE official as saying. The ministry had called the meeting today after it was said the biometric system introduced by the Malaysian Embassy in Kathmandu would jack up medical cost for Malaysia-bound workers.
“Most of those who attended the meeting asked whether the system was necessary for Nepal and probability of increment in medical check-up fee,” the source said on the condition of anonymity.
There has been lot of controversy over the introduction of the system in Nepal as it is expected to increase medical check-up cost for Malaysia-bound workers by at least US$15 (approximately Rs 1,500).
Various government officials have said that it would be illegal to increase the medical check-up fee for foreign migrants, as the state has fixed a ceiling of Rs 2,625.
So far, the Nepal Health Professional Federation, which is supporting the Malaysian Embassy to introduce the system in Nepal, has said that introduction of the new system will not add financial burden on Nepalis seeking jobs in Malaysia. But since it has not ruled out possibilities of price hike in the future, it is likely that the cost will eventually go up, manpower agencies say.
Manpower agencies firmly believe medical costs would be jacked up soon, as health centres that conduct medical check-up of Malaysia-bound workers will have to first purchase software and equipment worth $8,000 (approximately Rs 800,000) from Malaysian companies.
Today’s meeting was participated by officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Health and Population, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment, the Department of Foreign Employment, the Foreign Employment Promotion Board, the Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies, the Nepal Health Professionals Association and the Nepal Foreign Employment Medical Association.
Source: The Himalayan Times
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