Malaysia –
the number one destination of Nepali migrant workers – is shifting its migrant
worker policy that is going to hit Nepal.
As Malaysia
is the first choice of Nepali migrant workers, it has been the source of some
30 per cent of total remittance inflow in the country.
But the
change in policy by the Malaysia from unskilled workers to skilled ones and
attracting more students – as it is developing itself as a education hub – is
going to hit the remittance in flow and instead reverse the flow of money back
to Malaysia as students' fee.
Last fiscal
year, the country had received Rs 434.58 billion remittance. Of which Malaysia
contributed to around Rs 130 billion. The slowdown in remittance inflow – that
has become the lifeline of the import-economy – will hit the country hard apart
from social unrest due to influx of returnee migrant workers.
The
Malaysian government has declared to crack down on illegal migrant workers from
January 21, in the first phase, according to the new policy.
Of the total
700,000 Nepalis estimated to be working in Malaysia, some 35,000 are though to
be undocumented, and feared deportation as the paramilitary force starts
raiding.
However,
some 1,300 undocumented Nepali migrant workers have approached the Nepali
embassy in Kuala Lumpur – in the last two days – for documents, though
The
Malaysian government – that had announced evacuation of illegal migrant workers
three months – is planning to take advantage of the week-long holidays in the
run up to the Chinese New Year on February 4 to crack down on illegal migrant workers.
The deadline
for the illegal migrant workers ends on Tuesday (tomorrow). The migrant workers,
who are planning to return their home will be let to return, and spared but
rest will be arrested and deported.
According to Department of
Foreign Employment, a total of 156,770 Nepalis had left for Malaysia during the
last fiscal year 2012-13 in search for a greener pasture and government's
inability to create employment back home.
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