Malaysia has shown positive intent to resolve the Nepali migrant worker crisis.The crisis started after Nepal government shut dubious visa processing agencies that illegally charged fees from Nepali workers.

During a meeting with Nepal embassy officials and Ministry of Human Resources (MoHR) representatives, Malaysia expressed concern over the clamp on Nepali workers’ departure to Kuala Lumpur and their other challenges.

A team from Nepal embassy, led by Acting Ambassador of Nepal to Malaysia, Kumar Kharel held talks with MoHR Deputy Under Secretary Bashah Bin Bachik. Departures of Nepali migrant workers to Malaysia is on hold following the government order to revoke the exorbitant fees levied by some agencies to process visas for Malaysia-bound workers. The Malaysian authority said Nepal government has officially informed them about its (Nepal’s) action to stop visa service agencies from looting workers. Malaysia is concerned about additional fees imposed on workers, said Kharel.

The MoHR officials also informed Nepal embassy officials that Malaysian government plans to introduce reforms in migrant labour sector. This is one of the major priorities of the new [Malaysian] government. “The Malaysian authority said it conducts regular discussions and studies at different levels to manage migrant workers sector, including problems of Nepali workers,” said Kharel.

Malaysia will move ahead at the ministerial level after discussions end with clarity. It will hold another round of consultations with labour source countries to resolve all issues. The Nepali Embassy informed the MoHR officials about the freeze on departures of thousands of Nepali workers who have already obtained calling visas.

Both parties discussed about the probability of some temporary arrangement for the departure workers already cleared by the Malaysian Immigration and who have paid for Immigration Security Clearance and biometric identification test.

“We discussed the possibility of sending Nepali workers to Malaysia after the Malaysian Embassy in Kathmandu conducts the required procedures at minimum charges as those agencies, providing visa procedures services are closed,” said Kharel.