Kathmandu: The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security has expressed its reservations regarding the 10-point criteria set by the Malaysian government for Foreign Employment Recruitment Companies. These criteria, which apply to five countries including Nepal, have been deemed unacceptable by the Ministry.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Pitambar Ghimire, spokesperson for the Ministry, stated that an official communication has been sent to the Malaysian government through Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This communication highlights Nepal’s inability to implement the criteria and seeks a resolution through diplomatic channels.
The Ministry further elaborated that the criteria, as outlined by Malaysia, have faced opposition from manpower companies. Ghimire mentioned that the letter was submitted via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, underscoring Nepal’s inability to comply with the criteria in their current form. The Malaysian government’s criteria were initially communicated to the Nepali Embassy in Kuala Lumpur by Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In line with the Malaysian request, manpower companies are required to provide details by November 15, 2025. The criteria, shared with Nepal alongside India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Myanmar, mandate that no agency should have held a license for less than five years, must have sent 3,000 workers over the past three years, and should have facilitated employment in at least three countries within the last five years.
Additional requirements include obtaining all necessary permissions for training and recruitment, possessing a good conduct certificate from authorized agencies, and ensuring the company operates in an area of at least 10,000 square feet with adequate infrastructure. The agencies must also submit recommendation letters from international employers and must not engage in forced labor, human trafficking, labor law violations, or extortion-related activities.
The foreign employment agencies in Nepal continue to express their reservations regarding these stringent criteria.