Nepalese workers in Malaysia rising

From Ballav Dahal & Jhapendra Gahire

Kuala Lumpur, Apr. 6: The number of Nepalese workers in Malaysia is likely to increase two fold to reach around 200,000 within a few years.

"The Malaysian government has shown positive signs regarding the increment in the number of workers from Nepal," Deepak Dhital, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Bangkok-based Royal Nepalese Embassy, told The Rising Nepal.

Official figures indicate that more than 80,000 Nepalese are working in different parts of Malaysia at present. But the total number of Nepalese workers is believed to be almost 100,000. Since February 2001, Malaysia has recognised Nepal as a major source of the labour market. Nepalese workers are mostly engaged in construction activities, farming and in shopping centres.

On an average, a Nepalese worker there earns US$ 100 a month and more than US$ 10 million is remitted to Nepal every month. "This is something that is giving a boost to the rural economy of Nepal," Dhital said.

The possibility of absorbing more Nepalese workers in Malaysia has increased with the operation of direct flights by the national flag carrier Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation (RNAC) and Qatar Airways, and the government's initiative to open a Royal Nepalese Embassy in Malaysia.

His Majesty's Government is planning to establish its embassy in Kuala Lumpur within the current fiscal year.

Dhital, who has also been assigned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to set up Nepal's embassy in Malaysia, said that efforts are being made through diplomatic channels to find higher paid jobs for the Nepalese. "We are also trying to make employment for our people more systematic and well-managed."

He said Malaysia was willing to provide jobs to skilled Nepalese workers in information technology (IT) and those who can work for long hours. "The government can consider this case by case," he said, quoting the Secretary General at the Ministry of Human Resources in Malaysia.

India at present is the exporter of skilled manpower in IT to Malaysia.

Because of their dedication towards their jobs, the Nepali workers are high in demand in Malaysia. However, they often complain that they do not get salaries and other facilities as promised by their agents in Nepal. "When the economic condition of some companies deteriorates, it can affect the workers," he said.

Another problem of the workers is that other companies do not entertain them once they become jobless. "This has been a serious problem for the Nepali workers here. We must try to address it in a tactful manner."

Kesh Bahadur Garbuja, who hails from Dang and works for a service company in downtown Kuala Lumpur, complained that many Nepalese workers here are deprived of health and insurance facilities.
"When we are ill, we have to bear all the medical expenses on our own," said he. "The company where we are working has even made us pay for water and electricity."

He said he paid Rs. 100,000 to the agent that sent him to Malaysia last year. At present, he earns about Rs. 8,000 a month. His agent had promised him a job that pays around Rs. 12,000 a month.
Another worker Bikram Pokharel from Baglung has similar complaints. According to him, apart from problems related to the salary and nature of the jobs, Nepalese workers are often harassed by the police.

"The police arrest us on the way at our residence late at night, and they do not release us unless we show them our passports," he said. "But the company does not give us our passports, and we are compelled to stay in police custody for days."

He, however, hoped that many problems of Nepalese workers would be settled after the opening of the Royal Nepalese Embassy in Malaysia.

The air connection between Nepal and Malaysia is expected to be instrumental in addressing the problems of Nepalese workers and increasing their numbers, as there is tough competition among manpower agents.

With the number of Nepalese workers increasing in Malaysia, a Nepali company has been established here to help send their money to Nepal. Chandra Dhakal, Managing Director of Ime Impex SDN BHD, claimed that the company delivers the workers' money to their homes within two to 10 days.

"We have received authority from the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) and the central bank of Malaysia. We take one per cent service charge from them," he said.