GLOBAL CRISIS-3: Fewer workers Malaysia-bound

Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE) data reveal that the number of Nepali migrant workers leaving for Malaysia -- the second most preferred destination -- has dropped in the seventh month of this fiscal year.
The number of workers leaving for Malaysia dropped to 1,553 during the month in comparison to 2,873 a month earlier. "The decrease in number is due to the Malaysian government's recent decision not to take in any foreign migrant workers, especially in the manufacturing and service sectors, from January," said Foreign Employment Association of Nepal (FEAN) president Tilak Ranabhat. On January 10, the Malaysian government put a freeze on the intake of foreign workers due to global financial crisis.
However, Nepalis already working in Malaysia will not be affected due to the East Asian country's decision. "The interests of Nepalis working in Malaysia will not be overlooked," Nepal's ambassador to Malaysia Dr Rishi Raj Adhikari said, adding that Nepal has accepted that Malaysia will let demand and supply dictate wages.
The important thing is that recruitment will be done fairly, with all sides -- workers, employers and recruiting agents -- protected, according to him.
There are about 3,00,000 Nepalis working in Malaysia, most of them in the construction and agriculture sectors and a few in service and other sectors -- making Nepalis one of the largest foreign workforces in Malaysia.
Nepal started sending workers to Malaysia, though through private manpower agencies, since 2001. The two governments have agreed on minimum wage, which was set at RM600 ($167) a month.
Adhikari, who was posted in Malaysia after the Maoist-led government came to power last April, said that the Nepali embassy in Malaysia is keenly watching the economic scenario there as Malaysia is hit by the global financial crisis.
However, in total the number of Nepali migrant workers leaving for foreign employment has increased by eight per cent during the current period compared to Poush month. According to data, a total of 18,715 workers left for different foreign job destinations in the seventh month of this fiscal year, up from 17,300 in the sixth month.