Labour pact between Nepal and Malaysia not only removes financial burden Nepali migrant workers had to take, it also ensures their safety and security

As Nepal’s Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Security Gokarna Bista and Malaysian Human Resources Minister M Kulasegaran signed a labour pact between the two countries on Monday, the deep-rooted unscrupulous nexus that had been the bane of Nepalis going to the Southeast Asian country for jobs came shattering. Foreign employment has emerged as the only source of income—and a bitter reality—for many Nepali youths in recent years, thanks to lack of job opportunities at home. Malaysia is one of the favoured destinations of Nepali migrant workers, but with foreign employment agencies maintaining highhandedness and working in cahoots with their counterparts in Malaysia it had  become extremely difficult for those who wanted to fly there for jobs. Despite the introduction of free visa free ticket scheme about three years ago, Nepalis going to Malaysia—and some other countries—had no option than to shell out thousands of rupees under different headings. Their plight at workplace—and where they were provided lodgings—in the foreign soil was unimaginable.

Now, the new labour pact signed between the Nepali and Malaysian governments means those aspiring to go to Malaysia for employment need not pay more than Rs 5,800. As per the agreement, employer companies will bear recruitment service charges, two-way airfare, visa fee, health check-up, security screening and levy charges, among others. According to the MoU, from now on, Malaysian firms will pay the salaries of workers through banking channel and will have to deposit wages on the seventh day of the month. The employer firms will also have to bear all expenses related to accommodation, health check-up and security.

Minister Bista does deserve appreciation. This also comes amid public outcry against the incumbent government’s failure on different fronts. In the face of lack of jobs, Nepali youths have been left with no option than to fly abroad for employment. According to the Department of Foreign Employment, in the fiscal year 2017-18, of the 354,082 work permits issued for various countries, 104,209 work permits were issued for Malaysia. But their plight used to start from home and not end even in the destination country. While they had to cough up thousands of rupees here at home, there was no guarantee that they would get the job they were promised. In case of disability and death, there was no insurance cover. Despite remittance being the major source of the country’s economy, those who used to send the money back home were neither safe nor secure. Minister Bista hence has achieved a remarkable success in this regard. Not only this, he has also proved that continuous engagement ultimately sets things straight. This labour pact also sets the ground for more government-to-government engagements with other countries to facilitate foreign employment. Amid this positive development, one caveat however remains. For the time being facilitating foreign employment is a good move, but the government must start working with a long-term vision to create a situation where Nepalis will not have to toil in foreign land. For now, the recent development is good news for Nepali migrant workers; they must be able to enjoy fruits of their labour.

Modern farming

Most farmers in Nepal still rely on subsistence farming which barely supports them to earn a decent living. The government has announced an ambitious plan of modernising agriculture through Prime Minister Agriculture Modernisation Project. In line with the federal government policy, the Gandaki province also has came up with an idea of developing as many as 400 model farms in agriculture, livestock and fishery. It has earmarked Rs 400 million.

Province Minister of Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives Lekh Bahadur Khadka said his ministry would provide one time 50 per cent of the proposed cost to individuals, groups or firms setting up the model farms. The idea of developing the model farms is a welcome move provided that the subsidy is not doled out only to those who are close to the corridors of power. The government also needs to provide the farmers or firms with technical inputs and ensure easy access to markets for their produce. Farmers should be encouraged to switch towards low-volume, high-value crops. Commercial farming is need of the hour.