Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The Malaysian government has introduced a stricter set of regulations for foreign private recruitment agencies, including those in Nepal, as part of an effort to make labor migration more transparent and ethical.
In a diplomatic note sent to the Embassy of Nepal in Kuala Lumpur, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia informed that the government has agreed to rationalize the number of licensed private recruitment agencies permitted to facilitate the recruitment and placement of workers from Nepal to Malaysia.
According to the note, the rationalization process will be based on an objective and merit-based vetting procedure administered by Malaysia’s Ministry of Human Resources. The ministry has laid out 10 mandatory criteria that agencies must meet to qualify.
Malaysia has asked Nepal to submit a list of agencies meeting these standards by November 15.
The 10-point criteria include a minimum five-year operating license, a record of managing at least 3,000 foreign workers in the past five years, and experience of deploying workers to at least three destination countries in the past five years. Agencies must also hold valid licenses from all relevant regulatory bodies, provide a certificate of good conduct issued by their respective governments, and demonstrate ethical and lawful recruitment practices.
Additionally, eligible agencies must own training and assessment centers with complete facilities, including accommodation and induction modules. They must also submit at least five written testimonials from international employers who have used their services.
Malaysian authorities have said these requirements are intended to ensure that only experienced, compliant, and responsible firms are involved in recruiting foreign workers.
Meanwhile, the umbrella body of Nepal’s foreign employment agencies has strongly rejected to the recent letter from Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In a press statement, the Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies (NAFEA) said it opposes any form of monopoly in overseas recruitment.
The association has warned that any individuals or groups attempting to prey on the livelihoods of ordinary recruiters by forming a syndicate would be treated as enemies of the industry and face social and professional ostracism.
