KATHMANDU: As Nepal prepares to resume sending workers to Malaysia, the Nepal Health Professionals Federation (NHPF) is allegedly attempting to revive a cartel for health screenings of workers bound for the Southeast Asian nation.
In 2018, then Minister for Labor, Employment, and Social Security Gokarna Bista had scrapped the registration of 36 medical institutions for imposing unnecessary financial burdens on workers traveling to Malaysia by forming a cartel. Bista accused these institutions, along with federation chair Kailash Khadka, of exploiting workers through syndicate practices. While some health institutions faced legal action, Khadka evaded prosecution, allegedly by using his political influence. Khadka has now been accused of attempting to revive the same syndicate.
As per the labor agreement between Nepal and Malaysia, health screenings for workers must be conducted by government-approved medical institutions. However, an official of the NHPF told Himal Press that Khadka is lobbying to involve Malaysian companies to control the process. “Even though employment in Malaysia is currently closed, efforts are underway to revive the syndicate,” the official said. “Khadka is seeking support from Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s secretariat and Foreign Minister Arzu Deuba for this purpose.”
Nepal Medical Occupational’s Organization ( NEMOO) General Secretary Krishna Prasad Gyawali sid Khadka has been trying to bring a Malaysian company to Nepal for health screening. He, however, refused to divulge more details.
The Embassy of Nepal in Kuala Lumpur has not verified labor demand letters for new recruitments. Likewise, the Department of Foreign Employment has yet to approve any new demands for Nepali workers for Malaysia. Basant Bahadur Bohara, a joint spokesperson for the labor ministry, said that legal action would be taken against recruitment companies collecting money from workers by promising them jobs in Malaysia.
Aspirant migrant workers have been complaining about excessive fees for medical screenings. Although the official fee is Rs 6,500, workers were forced to pay as high as Rs 10,000 in the past. Health professionals say they get only about Rs 3,000 of this amount, with the remaining amount siphoned off by intermediaries.
A task force for foreign employment reforms recently recommended implementing a Centralized Digital Repository System for worker health screenings. The system aims to ensure quality medical testing and eliminate fraudulent practices.
Between 2013 and 2018, the 36 medical institutions collected over Rs 7 billion through syndicate practices, according to a charge sheet filed at the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court acquitted the institutions by handing them fines.
