Malaysia is one of Asia's biggest employers of foreign labour. But recently, cases of deaths, abuse and forced labour have come to light. What is going on? Who is protecting these migrant workers?
By Yuba Nath Lamsal
KATHMANDU, Aug 20 (Bernama) — Malaysian Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri Richard Riot arrived here Wednesday for a two-day official visit to Nepal.
Khaga Nath Adhikari, spokesman at Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Riot’s visit was at the invitation of Nepal’s Minister of State for Labour and Employment Tek Bahadur Gurung.
Protocol officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Bijaya Raut received the minister upon his arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport.
During his visit, Riot is scheduled to meet Nepal President Dr Ram Baran Yadav, Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Bamdev Gautam and Minister for Foreign Affairs Mahendra Bahadur Pandey.
He will also hold talks with his counterpart Gurung on labour issues, Adhikari said.
Buddhi Bahadur Khadka, spokesman at the Ministry of Labour and Employment, said the repatriation of over 40,000 Nepalis, who have been stranded in Malaysia after losing their legal status, is expected to figure in the meeting between the Malaysian and Nepali ministers.
“Nepal wants Malaysia to repatriate the illegal workers without penalties, for which the Malaysian minister will be formally requested,” Khadka said.
The other issue that is likely to figure during the talks is the ‘zero recruitment cost for Nepali migrant workers’ in Malaysia.
“We want zero recruitment cost for Nepali migrant workers in all countries including Malaysia and we are in the process of negotiating with countries seeking Nepali workers,” Khadka said.
A Foreign Ministry spokesman said bilateral talks on labour issues were also expected to be discussed during the meeting between the ministers.
There are over 450,000 documented Nepali migrant workers in Malaysia. — BERNAMA
Source: Bernama
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