Any increase would directly benefit eligible Nepali workers employed in Malaysia. About 400,000 Nepalis work in the country.

New labour approvals have fallen 52 percent since the Iran war began, with some workers sent home on unpaid leave.

Pact targets forced labour, recruitment fees and rights violations as Malaysia reports 46 complaints involving Nepali workers.

Israel says private agencies are legally entitled to charge foreign workers, while Nepal wants recruitment to remain free or worker-friendly

Kathmandu is seeking an early meeting of a bilateral technical committee after Kuala Lumpur selected recruitment agencies unilaterally, prompting concerns over transparency and fair competition.

The foreign employment department has given the agencies seven days to explain the criteria and process used for their selection.

Raid is part of an extended migrant repatriation programme.

Kuala Lumpur’s decision to channel hiring through 25 principal agencies has drawn objections from Kathmandu. Officials and recruitment agencies call for high-level talks to resolve the issue.

For families who can’t afford the airfare, the choice is a foreign grave or years of waiting.

Hira Shobha said her family spent nine agonising days believing Kabir Maharjan was still alive inside the Trishuli 3A tunnel before rescuers pulled him out on Friday.

Families are demanding answers as mud and debris block access to hydropower plants where dozens of workers are feared trapped after the Bhotekoshi flood.

Hundreds of hydropower workers and staff remain missing across projects in Rasuwa and Nuwakot after the August 26 Bhotekoshi flood.

Relatives of workers trapped or missing inside flooded hydropower tunnels say every hour of delay is diminishing their hope of finding them alive.

Labour Ministry says a new fee will be fixed only after the Foreign Employment Act and regulations are amended, prompting recruitment agencies to suspend their protest.

The agreement averts the possibility of a halt in sending Nepali workers abroad as the government pledges to address recruiters’ policy and administrative concerns.