KUALA LUMPUR: At least 2,000 undocumented Nepali migrant workers had returned home under the latest amnesty programme launched by the Malaysian government since August this year.
Nepal Ambassador to Malaysia Udaya Raj Pandey said more of its nationals who had overstayed and violated immigration rules here are expected to take up the offer soon.
“Our calculation is (that) there are 11,000 to 14,000 undocumented Nepali workers in Malaysia. Some 2,000 already returned (to Nepal) so far.
“We expect the remaining will also go back (under the programme),” he said when met by Bernama International News Service at the republic’s National Day (Constitution Day) celebration, here, on Friday.
The “Back for Good” programme, running from Aug 1 to Dec 31 this year, is another effort by the Malaysian government to allow undocumented foreigners to voluntarily leave the country.
Under the programme, these illegals are only required to pay a compound of RM700 aside from obtaining the necessary documents, such as passports and special travel passes, from their respective embassies.
“Our embassy here in Kuala Lumpur is facilitating their return by providing the necessary documentations. All the costs incurred will be borne by the individuals themselves,” Pandey added.
On another development, the envoy said the new agreement inked by Malaysia and Nepal for the recruitment of Nepali workers is a new chapter for both sides, adding that he is optimistic that it will ensure transparency in the recruitment process, as well as care for the welfare of the Nepali workers in Malaysia.
“We are in the process of implementing the new MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) signed early this month.
“With that, we hope the many issues that cropped up before this can be solved for good, including the recruitment process, and welfare matters such as working conditions, medical examinations, salary and overtime,” he said.
The new MoU signed early this month also marked the official lifting of the ban imposed by the Nepali government since 2018 on recruitment of its workers for Malaysia following allegations of corruption and exploitation of the workers under the old scheme.
Pandey estimated that there are 357,000 Nepali currently working in Malaysia, primarily in the security, manufacturing and hospitality sectors. — Bernama
