Undocumented Migrant Workers in Malaysia Face an Uncertain Future

Malaysia has been one of the most favored destinations for Nepali workers looking to migrate for opportunities. There are around 500,000 Nepalis working in the Southeast Asian nation presently.

However, as per the estimates of the Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies (NAFEA), there are roughly 40,000 Nepalis working without valid permits in Malaysia. During the recent crackdown on illegal migrant workers by the Malaysian government, more than 100 Nepalis were detained along with workers from other nations.

Though the Malaysian government had launched a scheme in February this year wherein the 600,000 undocumented foreign workers could register themselves for the Enforcement Card or E-card, only 150,000 people availed the opportunity. With the passing of the deadline to register on 30 June, the government has launched a massive operation to flush out the illegal migrant workers.

The Government of Nepal is putting in all efforts to ensure the safety of the Nepali citizens arrested during the crackdown in Malaysia and bring them back to Nepal. Foreign employment experts feel that remittance inflows to Nepal would be severely affected if all the undocumented workers are deported back to their country.