Malaysia, Nepal perkukuh mekanisme ambil pekerja, bendung eksploitasi

Malaysia and Nepal agree to strengthen their mechanisms for recruiting workers to prevent exploitation, says Human Resources Minister R Ramanan. Speaking to reporters, the minister noted the commitment was formulated during a telephone conversation with Nepal’s Minister of Youth, Sports and Labor Ramjee Yadav, which touched upon bilateral labor and employment relations.

Ramanan emphasized that both countries recognize the importance of establishing a more regular and transparent mechanism for labor recruitment, addressing issues that could burden workers with excessive costs or expose them to exploitation. “Malaysia remains committed to ensuring the management of foreign workers is conducted based on principles of integrity, reliability, accountability, and worker protection, irrespective of the industry’s or labor market’s real needs,” he told reporters via a Facebook post.

The two nations, which have diplomatic relations since 1960, agreed to continue communication and bilateral discussions through appropriate channels to bolster cooperation in labor and employment sectors for the benefit of both countries and workers. Ramanan also expressed condolences and sympathy to the Government of Nepal and its people following the devastating floods last month that resulted in numerous deaths and destruction.

Similarly, the Madani government pledged 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 August 26 flood disaster in the Nepal-China border area rose to over 1,450, with more than 6,000 others still missing in both nations.