Malaysia, Nepal perkukuh mekanisme ambil pekerja, bendung eksploitasi

Malaysia and Nepal have agreed to strengthen the mechanisms for taking workers, in order to prevent them from being exploited by high or low costs, said Manpower Minister R Ramanan. (Picture Bernama) KUALA LUMPUR: The two countries agreed to streamline the process of worker transfer between them to ensure a more regular, transparent and ethical procedure, while also blocking practices that could lead to labor exploitation.

Ramanan stated that this commitment was made during a phone conversation with Nepal's Minister of Youth, Sports and Employment, Ramjee Yadav, which also touched upon bilateral relations in the labor and employment sectors. He noted that both parties recognize the importance of establishing a more regular and transparent mechanism for labor transfer, as well as addressing practices that could burden workers with excessive costs or expose them to exploitation and irresponsible intermediaries.

"Malaysia remains committed to ensuring the management of foreign workers is carried out based on principles of integrity, transparency, accountability, and worker protection, regardless of the genuine needs of the country's industry and labor market," he said in a Facebook post. Ramanan emphasized that Malaysia and Nepal, which have diplomatic relations since 1960, agreed to continue communication and dialogue through appropriate bilateral channels to strengthen cooperation in the labor and employment sectors for the benefit of both nations and the welfare of workers.

He also conveyed condolences and sympathy to the Nepalese government and people following the devastating floods last month that resulted in the loss of lives and destruction. Similarly, the Madani government pledged to give serious attention to the fate of the 55 Malaysian nationals still unaccounted for after the disaster. According to international media reports, the death toll from the disaster on August 26 across the Nepal-China border rose to over 1,450, with more than 6,000 others still missing in both countries.